NAIROBI, Kenya — Several public secondary schools across Kenya have been flagged for illegally charging parents additional fees and procuring uniforms without approval from the Ministry of Education, according to a report by Auditor General Nancy Gathungu.
The audit reveals that some parents were forced to pay as much as Sh1.2 million per student for school-initiated projects, while others paid between Sh100,000 and Sh300,000—all in violation of Ministry regulations.
“This trend of non-compliance is worrying,” Auditor General Gathungu said, noting that many schools also submitted inaccurate student data to the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS), affecting funding allocations and reporting accuracy.
Schools Cited in the Audit
Among the institutions named are Loreto Kiambu Girls’ High, Starehe Boys Centre (Nairobi), Shimo la Tewa (Mombasa), St Josephine Bakhita Masinga (Machakos), Thika High School (Kiambu), Jomo Kenyatta Boys High (Nakuru), Mama Ngina Girls Secondary (Mombasa), Nakuru Girls’ High, St Anne’s Secondary (Lioki), and Bura Girls High (Taita Taveta).
The audit found that Loreto Kiambu Girls’ High charged unapproved fees totaling Sh1,296,741 per student for projects without authorization from the Education Cabinet Secretary.
This contravenes Government Circular No. MOE.HQS/3/13/3, which restricts parent contributions to school uniforms, boarding costs, and lunch for day scholars.
At Starehe Boys Centre, a Category A school, parents were charged between Sh140,000 and Sh300,000—far above the Sh67,244 limit for boarding schools set by the Ministry.
The school also spent Sh8.38 million on uniforms, shoes, and bedding from a single supplier, violating regulations that prohibit prescribing specific suppliers.
Data Discrepancies Impact Funding
The audit highlighted discrepancies at Thika High School, where NEMIS recorded 1,728 students, but the County Director of Education listed 2,044 students, a variance of 316 learners.
This underreporting resulted in Sh2.6 million in underfunding and breached Ministry directives on accurate student registration.
Political Reactions
The audit comes amid controversy over a Ministry of Education circular proposing a reduction in day school capitation from Sh22,000 to Sh12,000 per year, which has drawn criticism from Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro.
“I will do everything within my powers to see the government rescind this decision,” Nyoro said, highlighting growing tensions over school funding and governance.
Implications
The findings expose ongoing governance and compliance challenges in public secondary schools, raising urgent concerns over financial management, transparency, and adherence to Ministry directives.
Auditor General Gathungu’s report signals the need for stricter oversight to protect parents from illegal charges and ensure proper allocation of educational resources.
