… Education Cabinet Secretary Migos Ogamba says disciplinary action will be taken against any principal found guilty of imposing excessive fees beyond ministry-approved rates. …
… In a letter dated April 29, 2026, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba said investigations uncovered serious financial and administrative breaches at the top national school. …
… elong commitment to education and public service left an enduring legacy. “His enduring commitment to learning and public service leaves a profound legacy that will continue to inspire generations,” the President said in a statement.Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba …
Former Deputy Inspector General Edward Mbugua, founder of Utumishi Girls Academy, has proposed abolishing boarding schools in Kenya and converting dormitories into laboratories and workshops. Speaking at a memorial service for sixteen Utumishi Girls High School students who died in a dormitory fire on May 27, Mbugua urged the government and education stakeholders to transition toward day schooling and strengthen local schools to prevent similar tragedies.
Why it matters
Ex-police chief proposes abolishing boarding schools following Utumishi fire, injecting a bold policy debate into post-tragedy education sector reform discussions.
Former Deputy Inspector General Edward Mbugua, founder of Utumishi Girls Academy, has proposed abolishing boarding schools in Kenya and converting dormitories into laboratories and workshops. Speaking at a memorial service for sixteen Utumishi Girls High School students who died in a dormitory fire on May 27, Mbugua urged the government and education stakeholders to transition toward day schooling and strengthen local schools to prevent similar tragedies.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi proposed Ksh.784.5 billion for education in the 2026/2027 national budget, representing 26.4 per cent of total ministerial spending, as schools across the country face delayed capitation and widespread unrest affecting more than 200 learning institutions.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba is scheduled to hold a press briefing on issues affecting the education sector as at least 200 schools have been affected by student unrest, prompting temporary closures and sparking concerns among parents and teachers. The address comes amid ongoing student strikes, property destruction and learning disruptions across several counties.
The Kenya Environmental Health and Public Health Practitioners Union has raised concerns that the Ministry of Education is conducting inspection tours of boarding schools without involving trained health experts to assess health standards and safety risks, urging the Education Cabinet Secretary to include public health officers in the exercise.
Following a fire at Utumishi Girls Senior School that revealed the institution had admitted 715 students despite a 650-student capacity, questions have emerged about communication breakdowns between the ministry headquarters and schools, including delays in admission reporting and uncertainties around capitation disbursement and textbook distribution.
Education stakeholders have raised alarm over continued violation of safety standards in schools, warning that weak enforcement of regulations is endangering learners and denying them a safe and conducive learning environment. The statement follows a midnight dormitory fire that claimed the lives of 16 students.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba told graduates of the Wildlife Tourism College of Maasai Mara that the future of global tourism depends on innovation and technology as tourists increasingly seek authentic experiences, sustainability, and digital convenience. He urged the 50 graduands to embrace emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, digital marketing, and online booking platforms to succeed in the changing market.
Education Cabinet Secretary Migos Ogamba warned school principals and Boards of Management against imposing illegal levies on parents, stating that any additional fees must receive written approval from the Ministry of Education before implementation. He emphasized that extra levies constitute an unlawful barrier to education and that basic education in Kenya is free and compulsory.
President William Ruto pledged to build 40 modern classrooms at Maseno School in Kisumu to benefit 1,600 students, with 20 classrooms to be completed before the end of the year to allow admission of an additional 800 students in January 2027. The Ministry of Lands and Housing will also build dormitories for 2,000 students and the Education ministry will construct a multipurpose hall.
KNEC data shows that of 1.282 million learners enrolled in Grade Four in 2019 under Kenya's new Competency-Based Education system, only 1.130 million sat the Grade Nine assessment, leaving about 151,630 unaccounted for and raising concerns about dropouts and retention gaps. The dropout disproportionately affected boys, with nearly 100,000 male learners and about 52,000 girls failing to complete junior school.
The Ministry of Education has directed the Teachers Service Commission to initiate disciplinary action against the chief principal of Alliance Girls High School over a more than 100 per cent fee increase to Ksh.120,000 that lacked ministry approval. The Education Cabinet Secretary says action will be taken against any principal found imposing excessive fees beyond government-approved rates.
The Ministry of Education has directed the Teachers Service Commission to dissolve the Board of Management of Alliance Girls High School following investigations into financial and administrative breaches, including approval of a Sh25 million five-day Dubai trip for staff and the imposition of illegal extra fees totaling Sh120,179 on parents.
Kenya is mourning the death of Prof. Raphael Munavu, a prominent scholar whose influence shaped the country's education system and policy direction for decades. President William Ruto and other leaders paid tribute to his transformative contributions to education, including his role in advancing Competency-Based Education and his leadership across institutions including the University of Nairobi, Egerton University, Moi University, and the Kenya National Examinations Council.