Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has warned school principals against imposing illegal levies during student admissions, stressing that offenders will face legal and administrative consequences.

Speaking on Tuesday, January 20, the CS noted that the government has intentionally digitalized the school admission process to close avenues for corruption.

“We are using KEMIS to admit students to schools so that we can remove some admission requirements from teachers. Some school principals demand bribes so that you get a spot in a school,” Ogamba said.

He urged parents and learners to immediately report any principal or school official who requests bribes or extra fees during the admission process.

Ogamba has directed that any instances of illegal levies be reported immediately to the nearest police station or education office at the sub-county or county level so authorities can act swiftly.

“It is something we have sung and told parents that if a principal asks you for that kind of money, let us know. Report it to the next police station or our education officers so that action can be taken,” the CS said.

Describing additional levies as illegal and irregular, Ogamba highlighted that the government already fulfills its funding obligations to schools, and parents should not face unnecessary financial pressure.

“The government is paying its portion of the money, so extra levies are not supposed to be charged on parents. It is something I have gazetted, and the principals are aware that it is an illegal and irregular levy,” he reiterated.

The CS clarified that schools may only collect extra fees if the levy is agreed upon by parents during an Annual General Meeting (AGM). In addition, schools must formally apply for and receive approval from the Ministry of Education before imposing any charges on parents.

“Principals should only charge with the consent of the parents when they call for an annual general meeting, and they agree that each parent is to pay an extra fee, then they ask for permission from the government,” he explained.

Ogamba also dismissed claims that government funding for schools had been reduced, noting that senior schools receive Ksh22,244, junior schools Ksh15,000, and primary schools Ksh1,400 per student.