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Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba speaks to the media after commissioning a multi-storey nlock at the Kenya Coast National Polytechnic in Mombasa in this photo taken on February 24, 2026.
About 1,000 senior schools across the country did not register any Grade 10 learners, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has revealed, raising concerns over the efficient use of resources.
The revelation comes even as various reports show that some schools, especially Cluster 1 and Cluster 2 schools are over-enrolled in Grade 10.
Learners and their parents tend to prefer the schools because of their superior infrastructure and also good staffing levels. Most of the under-enrolled schools are Cluster 4 schools which are day and some Cluster 3 schools (boarding).
Mr Ogamba said there is also a university running with 31 students only, although he did not name the institution.
Speaking during the Public Universities Vice-Chancellors’ Summit in Mombasa, Mr Ogamba told the stakeholders in the education sector that it is time for the State to make decisive measures to ensure prudent utilisation of human, financial and physical facilities.
"We have some 1,000 secondary schools with no Grade 10 students. These schools have teachers, principals among other staff. Now tell me how do we move from here?" he asked the dons.
Mr Ogamba said the recent audit of schools revealed the data on how some basic learning institutions are operating with few learners.
Entrance to Kivumbini Mixed Secondary School in Nakuru City on January 12, 2026.
Last year the Ministry of Education embarked on auditing of more than 23,000 public schools and some 9,606 secondary schools to clean up data on basic learning institutions after the Auditor-General flagged inconsistencies in data held by the Ministry of Education and funds disbursed to schools for various programmes.
Mr Ogamba told the dons that the audit will help the State in planning and prudent use of resources.
"We now need to rethink the next step of action after data confirmed that we have 1,000 secondary schools with no Grade 10 learners. What happens once the current Form Four learners leave these schools?" he asked.
Enrolment trends
The CS further asked the dons to help the State in optimal management of resources.
"Now, imagine a university in the country currently operating with only 31 students," he observed that the situation highlights the need for institutions to reassess sustainability and resource management.
Mr Ogamba noted that the government is closely monitoring enrolment trends in both senior schools and universities to ensure that infrastructure and human resources are effectively deployed.
He challenged education stakeholders to strengthen planning and collaboration to address disparities in student distribution across institutions and guarantee quality education for all learners.
The National Parents Association (NPA) chairperson, Mr Silas Obuhatsa, said under-enrolled schools should be closed and the teachers transferred to schools where there are acute shortages. However, he said the State should investigate why the schools are operating without Grade 10 students.
"If we have schools with no Grade 10, students what are the reasons? The MoE should do a follow-up why there are no students. Why are the principals running the schools with no students? Then the ministry can make a decision," said Mr Obuhatsa.
Some 1.2 million Grade 10 transited to senior school in January and February. However, some are still stuck at home due to school fees challenges.
This is despite President William Ruto directing the learners to report to school without uniform or fees.
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