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Principals narrate struggles in admitting Grade 10 students after Ruto’s order
23rd January, 2026 05:47 PM
Principals of boarding schools had a hectic time admitting students from poor families who thronged their schools for admission after President William Ruto ordered all needy grade 10 students to report to school.
Principals who spoke to K24 Digital on Friday, January 23, 2026, said President Ruto’s order was good but for day schools.
Principals have decried that most of the parents took advantage of the president’s orders to take their grade 10 children to school, but with no single cent or boarding items.
They said they were forced to refer some parents to the nearby day schools to enrol their children.
They said they only admitted students from extremely poor but bright families.
Bunyore Girls’ Chief Principal Judith Agade said they have been receiving bright students from poor families.
” Let our parents struggle to pay the little they have. We can’t turn away students,” Agade stated.
Financial constraints
On his part, Emusire Boys High School Principal Musa Obura said many parents are facing financial problems, and he is trying his best to admit students from poor families.
“Most parents have no money to pay school fees for their children. We are trying very much to admit their children. Let us help each other to educate our children,” he stated.
“We have been overwhelmed by the number of students who want to enrol freely in our boarding schools after the presidential orders. It is a big challenge for us because most of the parents have reported with their children without a single cent or boarding items. We wonder how you can admit a student without school fees, a uniform, boarding items and other things,” he decried.
Further, he decried that admitting students without the required items may lead to theft and demoralisation of students.
Principal donates to students
At Ebusakami Girls High School, Luanda sub-county in Vihiga county, the principal, Ruth Mbaluka, admitted five students from poor families who arrived at school empty-handed.
The principal donated free boxes, mattresses, uniforms, and books to needy students ready to learn.
“I have admitted five girls in grade 10 who came without any fees or items after the presidential orders. Let them come, and parents should struggle to get something for school fees,” said Mbaluka.
Mbaluka also asked political leaders to consider students from poor families for support, especially bursaries and scholarships.
Day schools in Vihiga County also witnessed a good turnout of grade 10 students.
Chiefs and their assistants were seen mobilising children to enrol in grade 10 in senior schools.
President Ruto’s directive
This comes a day after President William Ruto directed that all learners transitioning to senior school must report to their respective schools despite a lack of school fees and uniforms.
Speaking on January 22, 2026, the President said no child should be left at home due to financial constraints, noting that the government has already put in place sufficient resources to support the transition under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system.
Ruto ordered chiefs across the country to take charge and ensure that every learner who sat the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) reports to senior school without fail.
“I have directed all chiefs to ensure that every child who completed junior school joins senior school. No child should remain at home because of lack of fees, uniform or any other reason,” the president directed.
He acknowledged that he is aware that many families are struggling financially but assured parents that the government has allocated Sh44 billion to support the senior school transition.
According to the President, the capitation provided by the State is adequate to cater for all learners joining senior school under the new education system.
“I know some parents are facing challenges. That is why we have set aside enough money, and the capitation is sufficient to support every Kenyan child joining senior school, especially those who are needy,” he said.
The head of state urged students to report to school without fail with their junior school uniforms as they wait for their parents to raise money for new uniforms.
“Even if you do not have a uniform, go to school with the one you have. No headteacher should turn them back because they don’t have school fees or uniforms to allow parents to raise money to buy the uniform.
