The dream of parenthood is quietly being overshadowed by a relentless financial strain.
In many Kenyan households, the dream of parenthood is quietly being overshadowed by a relentless financial strain, as the soaring cost of raising a child pushes family budgets to breaking point.
An analysis by Nation Lifestyle, which sampled fee structures from various private schools in middle-income neighbourhoods, illustrates the steep financial journey of a child's education in Kenya.
It begins at the pre-school level, where securing a place at a good private institution typically costs, on average, between Sh20,000 and Sh50,000 per term for tuition. As the child progresses to primary school, the termly fees rise, ranging widely from Sh20,000 to more than Sh70,000, a figure that notably excludes the ancillary burdens of transport, school trips, and projects. The peak of this financial investment is reached in high school. Enrolling a child in a desirable national boarding school represents the apex of educational expenses, with fees consuming between Sh45,000 and Sh75,000 per term.
While the government's Free Primary Education (FPE) policy offers an affordable option, parents still bear the burden of numerous miscellaneous costs demanded by schools. Furthermore, many middle-class families opt out of the public system altogether, deterred by chronic issues of classroom overcrowding that impact the quality of learning.
Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) reveals that urban households spend up to 25 per cent of their earnings on childcare and education, a figure that only scratches the surface of the true financial strain. Two mothers shared their experience with Nation Lifestyle.
Mercy Osongo, 32 (Mother of a 9-month-old)
Being a working mother with a full-time job means constantly juggling responsibilities, and the financial weight of that is immense. Even before the major costs of school fees have begun, almost 30 per cent of my income is directly channelled into my child's care and well-being.
The biggest financial struggle? Infant care.
When my maternity leave ended and I had to return to work, our only viable option was to hire a live-in nanny. This introduced a major new expense that permanently reshaped our monthly budget.
After returning to work, my milk supply dropped significantly. I had no choice but to introduce formula, which came with an extra cost. A single tin goes for Sh1,960 and, lasted only four or five days. Now that he's nine months old and weaning, a tin lasts a week, but the cost remains a constant pressure. To manage this, I've had to make difficult choices, such as only using formula at night and supplementing with porridge and fruits during the day.
Diapers are another battle. I began with a premium brand costing (Sh2,199 for 60 diapers), switching to a more affordable brand (Sh1,500 for 53 diapers) when the cost became too much. Now, I buy the more affordable brand at a wholesale store (Sh620 for 40 diapers), saving a significant amount per pack. In the newborn stage, I used eight diapers daily; now, it’s five to six. To reduce the household budget, as a long-term strategy, I’ve started potty training.
These days, my shopping bags only contain baby essentials - no more treats like snacks, biscuits or chocolates for myself. I've even cut down on store visits, only going when absolutely necessary.
Social outings? I can't recall the last time I met friends at a restaurant after work.
Milliam Murigi, mother of a 9-year-old special needs child:
Milliam Murigi, mother of a 9-year-old special needs child.
My firstborn, nine-year-old Mirablel Wanjiru, has cerebral palsy. Her younger sibling is now three years old. More than half of my entire household budget is dedicated to raising my children, with the majority directed towards the extensive needs of my eldest. School fees alone consume more than 40 per cent of our monthly income.
For my child with special needs, essential ongoing care—including speech therapy, special education, quarterly medical reviews, and continuous medication—consumes more than 20 per cent of our total budget.
While insurance covers her prescriptions, all other expenses come from my pocket. Despite applying, I've never qualified for education bursaries.
Each month, I spend Sh4,500 on diapers alone, buying jumbo packs at Sh1,500 that barely last 10 days. Then there's the medication: four tablets daily at Sh30 each. The heaviest burden comes every term, which is Sh50,000 in school fees.
There's supposed to be tax relief for special needs families in Kenya, but like many parents, I've never managed to access it. The systems exist on paper, but not in our daily reality.
I've tried every cost-cutting measure imaginable. There was a time I bought diapers by the bale, and medications in bulk when possible. But these strategies only work when you have solid income - when money's tight, you buy what you can afford at that moment.”
Samuel Kiranga, a financial and wealth advisor with KCB, explains the difficulties families face in balancing childcare with other essential expenses such as housing, education, and healthcare.
Kenya Commercial Bank Investment Bank Wealth Advisor Samuel Kiranga.
“Wealth management is about helping clients balance what they have made over the years and protect it,” explains Kiranga. “Typically, childcare costs can up to 50 per cent of a family’s monthly budget. However, this figure depends on the parents’ income and how they prioritise their spending.”
In the past, parents often relied on extended family members, particularly grandparents, to help with raising children. Kiranga observes that, in urban areas, this support has diminished, forcing families to turn to nannies, daycare services, and early schooling to manage childcare responsibilities.
This shift has led to higher childcare costs, which have become a major item in family budgets, particularly for families in cities like Nairobi, where daycare and private schooling options are prevalent.
“For younger children, healthcare, vaccinations, and postnatal care form a significant part of the expenses. As children grow older, education takes precedence,” Kiranga explains. Education, in particular, has become a major financial commitment for parents who want to provide the best opportunities for their children.
However, for low-income families, food and nutrition often take priority. Kiranga points out that many low-income households struggle with providing adequate nutrition for their children, which can be costly.
According to Kiranga, childcare costs are not just about necessities but can also be influenced by lifestyle decisions. “Sometimes, children become an expression of our lifestyle choices. For instance, a parent may choose to send their child to an international school not just for education but also for networking opportunities or status.” Similarly, families may invest in larger homes or vehicles to accommodate their children, which also adds to the overall cost of childcare.
He illustrates this point by comparing two families: one earning sh100,000 per month and another earning sh30,000. While the higher-income family may spend more on childcare, the cost is proportionally smaller relative to their income. For lower-income families, even smaller childcare expenses can consume a larger portion of their budget.
One of the primary reasons for the increasing cost of childcare is the growing shift toward private solutions for services traditionally provided by the government, such as healthcare and schooling. Kiranga explains that in earlier years, public schools and healthcare services were more accessible and affordable. Today, many parents opt for private schools and healthcare, which significantly increases their expenses.
“Even leisure activities have become privatised,” Kiranga notes. “Instead of attending a local football match at the nearest school, families now spend money on outings to amusement parks or entertainment centres.”
Despite the rising costs, Kiranga acknowledges that many parents are willing to make sacrifices to ensure their children have the best possible opportunities.
“Parents are often willing to forgo personal luxuries to provide for their children. This could mean denying themselves vacations, upgrading their homes, or even saving for retirement,” he observes.
Kiranga emphasises that the sacrifices aren’t just financial but emotional as well.
“There’s a sense of guilt or pressure to provide the absolute best for your child, which can push parents into making difficult financial decisions. It’s not uncommon to see parents taking out loans to fund education or childcare, particularly in the middle and upper-middle classes, where the cost of raising children can be substantial.”
Additionally, the focus on providing for children financially sometimes means less time is spent with them.
“Parents are working longer hours to cover these costs, and unfortunately, that time away from their children can lead to feelings of guilt or missed opportunities for bonding,” Kiranga adds.
So, what can families do to manage the rising costs of childcare without sacrificing their financial stability or emotional well-being?
Kiranga suggests that parents take a proactive approach to financial planning, starting from the time they begin their families.
“It’s important to sit down and realistically map out the costs you’ll face over the years, including childcare, education, and healthcare. By planning, parents can avoid some of the financial pressures that come later.”
He also advocates for exploring cost-saving alternatives.
“For example, if you have the option of staying with family or finding community daycare options, that can help cut costs significantly. There are also more affordable schooling options, such as public schools with good reputations, that shouldn’t be overlooked just because private education is the trend.”
Furthermore, he stresses the importance of prioritising expenses.
“You don’t have to spend on every extracurricular activity or the most expensive schooling option if it’s not within your means.”
While individual financial planning is key, Kiranga stresses that systemic changes are also necessary to ease the burden on Kenyan families.
He points to countries where governments offer subsidised daycare and family benefits that ease the cost of raising children.
“Kenya could adopt similar models where families, especially those in lower-income brackets, receive support to help balance the cost of childcare with other essential needs.”
Financial Adviser Mary Mwangi.
Mary Mwangi, a Nairobi-based financial expert, emphasises the importance of aligning one's finances with life goals from the moment one starts earning.
“If we don't take advantage of the earlier years when we start working, some goals might never be achieved,” she explains.
Mwangi further discusses the variation in child care costs, which can differ significantly depending on one's location and income bracket. "For parents in rural areas, children often attend schools within walking distance, which minimises costs. However, urban parents frequently face the added burden of transportation fees, as schools are often located far from home," she says.
This logistical challenge makes urban childcare more expensive, especially in areas with high demand for quality schools and extracurricular programs.
Another critical factor in budgeting for childcare, according to Mwangi, is anticipating unexpected costs. "Healthcare and emergencies are often overlooked when planning for child care," she warns. "Having medical insurance and setting aside an emergency fund can make a significant difference in handling unexpected expenses."
Mwangi advises parents to review their finances regularly to accommodate changes in childcare needs as children grow.
When it comes to how much parents should budget for childcare, Mwangi provides some practical guidelines based on income levels. “For high-income earners in Nairobi, typically earning between Sh150,000 and Sh300,000, I recommend allocating around 15 to 20 per cent of their monthly income towards childcare expenses," she explains.
"For example, if a parent earns Sh200,000 per month, they should ideally budget Sh30,000 to Sh40,000 for childcare."
On the other hand, for lower-income earners earning between Sh30,000 and Sh60,000, Mwangi suggests setting aside about 20 to 30 per cent of their income for childcare. "This means a parent earning Sh50,000 per month would budget between Sh10,000 and Sh15,000," she adds.
Lastly, she notes the importance of involving both parents in financial planning. "Childcare is a joint responsibility, and both parents should be actively involved in creating a financial plan that ensures their child’s needs are met at every stage of their development," Mwangi concludes.
