Despite excelling in the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA), dozens of high-performing learners across the country face a painful reality. Their academic success may not translate into progression to senior school, as their families cannot afford the fees.
While the government has repeatedly assured parents that no child will be left behind, the reality on the ground tells a different story. School fees ranging from Sh18,000 to over Sh55,000 annually — excluding uniforms, bedding, textbooks and transport — have locked out children whose families survive on casual labour, subsistence farming or small-scale trading.
Yesterday, Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok said the selection process for the Elimu scholarship, targeting 10,000 students, is underway.
Bennet Treezer got 65 points in Kenya Junior School Education Assessment at St Paul's Academy and set to join Rangala Girls High School.
Photo credit: George Odiwuor | Nation Media Group
He noted that the government has mobilised multiple funding sources to support needy learners. Prof Bitok added that by the end of the week, the ministry expects a clear picture of how many students have reported to schools, with the Kemis digital platform improving tracking and coordination. On preparedness, he said schools are ready to receive learners.
Quinton Mwangi.
Photo credit: Pool
The 15-year-old will miss out on joining his dream school in Embu County, Nguviu Boys High School, due to financial constraints. Mwangi scored an impressive 64 out of 72 points in last year’s KJSEA examinations, but will not report to senior school next week because his family is unable to raise the required fees. “I am a casual labourer, and I cannot raise the Sh62,534 needed to take my bright son to school,” said his father, Mr Benson Waweru. Mwangi studied at Kimbimbi Junior Secondary School in Kirinyaga County, where he emerged as one of the top-performing learners.
Patrick Muiruri.
Photo credit: Pool
He sat his KJSEA test at Mihang’o Primary School and scored 64 points. He was admitted to Murang’a High School, where the annual fees is Sh54,000 to be paid at a ratio of 50:30: 20 spread in three terms. He says he has talked with his parents, “and we have concluded that the budget is too huge for our means”.
“We are now hoping for a miracle,” he said, adding that should all else fail, “I will enrol in a local school”.
Mwendwa, a Grade Nine pupil at Thinyaine Junior School in Tigania West, Meru County, has secured admission to St Mary’s Girls High School, but her family cannot raise the required fees and related costs.
Her mother, Ms Vierina Nkirote, said the family, which relies on farming in the semi-arid region, has been hit by crop failure caused by poor rains. “This season’s harvest was our only hope, but we lost it. We are now praying that a well-wisher will help my daughter join senior school,” she said. The family needs more than Sh26,000 for first-term fees, excluding uniforms and other necessities.
Stephanie Wanjeri.
Photo credit: Pool
Stephanie Wanjeri scored 69 out of 72 in the KJSEA at Muthiria Primary School in Murang’a County and earned admission to Ngandu Girls High School. However, her transition is uncertain as she is required to raise Sh55,000 in fees.
She says her parents cannot afford the amount, even after receiving a Sh5,000 bursary. As a result, her education is at risk.
Praise Mawia.
Photo credit: Pool
Fourteen-year-old Praise Mawia may miss a place at her dream Alliance Girls High School despite excelling in last year’s Kenya Junior School Education Assessment.
She topped Kimbimbi Junior Secondary School in Kirinyaga County with 65 out of 72 points, but has failed to report after her parents were unable to raise the Sh53,535 required in fees.
Her parents, casual labourers on rice and horticultural farms, earn between Sh300 and Sh500 a day, an income they say barely meets basic needs. “We have financial challenges and cannot afford to take our daughter to the senior school of her choice,” said her father, Mr Titus Mugaka.
The family fears Mawia will remain at home unless they receive help. “Even during junior secondary, we struggled to educate her,” said her mother, Ms Jacinta Muteithya.
Bobylashly Otieno Ogutu.
Photo credit: Pool
• Fees: Sh47,535 annually
Bobby Lashly Otieno scored an impressive 61 points. His ambition is bold — to become a neurosurgeon. His mother, Ms Beryl Achieng, lost her shoe business after a road accident left her paralysed for months. Though she has resumed hawking shoes, her income cannot meet the Sh47,535 required annually.
“I want to help patients like my mother,” Bobby says.
• Fees: Sh42,200 annually
Vivian Bosibori John’s academic journey is marked by quiet resilience. At Nyankanda Primary School in Nyamira County, she scored 54 points in the KJSEA, ranking among the county’s top performers.
Yet as her peers prepare to join senior school, Vivian remains at home. “I was admitted to St Peter’s Nyakemincha High School in West Mugirango, but I don’t know if I will report,” she says.
Although she has both parents, her mother, Hyline John, has largely supported Vivian and her two siblings through casual work. That support collapsed two months ago when illness left her unable to work.
With annual fees of Sh42,200 — excluding uniforms and other essentials — the family has exhausted its options. Vivian’s hopes now hinge on whether help comes in time.
• Fees: Sh40,300 annually
Shaylin Achieng scored 59 points — an exceptional achievement by any measure. At Ogèn Junior School in Muhoroni Sub-county, she stood out as a disciplined learner with a clear ambition: to become a medical doctor. “I believed education was my way out,” she says.
Raised by a single mother who earns about Sh100 a day as a casual labourer, Shaylin learned early the meaning of sacrifice. Her mother channelled every coin towards her schooling, often skipping meals to ensure her daughter remained in class.
That determination appeared to pay off when Shaylin secured admission to Sigoti Complex Girls High School in Nyakach, one of her preferred choices.
“With Sh40,300 required in fees, we have not managed to buy even a single item. Reporting is on January 12,” Shaylin says.
Mercy Chepkemoi.
Photo credit: Pool
• Fees: Sh32,140 annually
In Bomet County, Mercy Chepkemoi faces slim prospects of joining Kapolesero Secondary School despite scoring 35 points in the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment.
Her father, Joseph Kiprotich Korir, has raised seven children alone since losing his wife nine years ago. A peasant farmer, Mr Korir, is struggling to meet the demands of a large family, with two children already in secondary school and another in university.
“I am overwhelmed,” he says. “I cannot raise the fees.”
Beyond the Sh32,140 annual school fees, Mercy will need books, uniforms and other learning materials — costs Mr Korir says are beyond his means.
He fears that without urgent intervention, Mercy may be forced to drop out altogether.
Frida Kabibi.
Photo credit: Pool
• Fees: Sh53,000 annually
In Kaloleni, Kilifi County, 16-year-old Frida Kabibi fights back tears as she speaks about her future.
“I worked so hard because I believed education was my only way out of poverty,” she says.
Frida scored 53 points — a strong result that earned her admission to Matuga Girls High School, a national school. However, her mother, Ms Esther Salama, is unemployed and struggling to support five children.
“How can I raise Sh53,000? We do not even have enough food,” Ms Salama says.
Beyond tuition, Frida needs more than Sh20,000 for uniforms and bedding, placing further strain on the family.
“All odds are against me,” Frida says. “Poverty is the worst thing.”
• Fees: Sh40,535 annually
For Bernard Okello, the father of Ingreed Anyango, the dilemma is devastating. Battling cancer, he must choose between continuing his treatment and paying his daughter’s school fees.
“I need Sh40,535 annually,” he says. “I don’t have the money.”
Ingreed, who dreams of becoming a doctor, draws inspiration from her father’s illness. But that dream risks being cut short by circumstances beyond their control.
• Fees: Sh40,535 annually
In Nyalenda, Kisumu County, Javan Otieno sits quietly with the few belongings his father managed to buy before losing his job — a uniform, a sweater, and a hope that now feels fragile.
“My father was dismissed just before Christmas,” he says. “We cannot raise the remaining fees.” Javan dreams of becoming a teacher, but whether that dream will survive remains uncertain.
• Fees: Sh18,000 annually
Pamela Odhiambo has been raised by her grandmother since Grade One. Despite starting school without learning materials, she persevered. When she scored 42 points in the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment, hope surged. But her grandmother cannot raise the Sh18,000 needed for her fees.
“I fear my success story may end before secondary school begins,” Pamela says.
Fiona Makena, who scored 56 points at Mituntu Junior Secondary in Tigania West, has been admitted to Ikuu Girls. However, her mother, Purity Mukami, said she is considering enrolling her in a day school due to financial challenges. “We rely on farming, but this season’s crop failed. Any support from well-wishers would be highly appreciated,” Ms Mukami said.
Alpha Mwenda scored 64 points at Gimpine Junior School in Meru County but may miss out on joining Ikuu Boys Senior School due to financial constraints.
His mother, Joyce Mwari, said that as peasant farmers, they cannot raise the money needed for him to report to school next week.
“We need more than Sh45,000 for fees and other requirements for my son to join senior school. Our hope is running out,” she said.
Michelle Nkatha, a former Chugu Junior School student who scored 57 points in the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA), may not report to Ruiru Girls due to lack of funds.
Raised by a sickly mother and a father who is unemployed, her hope of continuing her education now rests on well-wishers.
Her mother, Winfred Karuru, said she has been battling a heart condition that has drained the family financially. “We need about Sh50,000 for her to report to school. Her father is a casual labourer and cannot raise the full amount,” she said.
Stephen Ikahu, who scored 56 points at Mihang’o Primary School, was admitted to Gaichanjiru High School but faces a harsh reality: his family cannot raise the Sh41,000 first-year fees. “Education is my only route to help my poverty-stricken mother,” he says. “This opportunity to break through is now gravely compromised by poverty. How can I tell my peers that hard work pays when I may never see the inside of a classroom again?”
