Ksh1.5M school fees: Abel Mutua reveals British curriculum cost behind his decision to have one child only

Actor and filmmaker Abel Mutua has opened up about the cost of educating his teenage daughter, Stephanie Mumbua, revealing how expensive school fees have influenced his decision not to have more children.

Speaking during an interview with Obinna on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, Mutua was asked whether he would consider having more kids. He pointed to the rising cost of education as one of the reasons he does not plan to expand his family.

“Unfortunately not because school fees is expensive. It’s very expensive,” Mutua said.

Ksh1.5 million school fees

The conversation then shifted to the cost of international-school education, particularly during examination years, with Mutua putting the cost into perspective by discussing what he would need to pay for his daughter.

Mutua explained that some stages of schooling can become particularly expensive, especially during examination years.

For students following the British curriculum, Year 11 is the IGCSE examination year, and Mutua said he would need to budget about Ksh1.5 million for his daughter’s Year 11 school fees.

Mutua said he had seen the fee structure the previous term and was shocked by the amount.

“I saw that structure last term. I almost threw up,” he said.

Mutua also spoke about the school calendar, noting that parents whose schools begin their academic year in September could face significant costs.

“Once you hear your school’s year starts in September, you’re in problems,” he said.

More kids, more school fees

The figure made Mutua reflect on the financial responsibility of raising more children, particularly if they were to attend schools with similarly high fees.

“Now tell me if I had three, my friend, don’t you see that dream would just end there?” Mutua said.

He also discussed the option of Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), suggesting that moving a child to the system could help manage the costs associated with international schooling.

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