Anxiety and frustration continue to mount among parents across the country following delays and alleged irregularities in the Grade 10 placement process, with some families claiming they have been asked to part with hefty sums of money to secure school slots.
Parents say the situation has forced them to move from one school to another in search of clarity, only to be turned away or given unclear assurances. Others report being denied access to school administrators altogether, leaving them without a formal channel to air their grievances.
Concerns have also been raised over learners placed in schools far from their homes, including day schools in distant counties, making attendance difficult for many families.
“I live in Nairobi, yet my child has been placed in Siaya County. I don’t even know the area. I am completely stuck,”.
Another parent recounted repeated visits to a national school in Nairobi, saying they were never allowed past the gate. “We are told to wait for phone calls that may never come. No one listens to us,” the parent said.
The frustrations persist despite the Ministry of Education relaxing placement rules to allow parents to seek transfers to schools of their choice. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba announced a second review phase, which began on January 6 and will run until January 9, following widespread complaints over initial placements.
However, some parents allege that a few school heads are taking advantage of the situation by demanding between Ksh100,000 and Ksh150,000 to admit learners claims that have heightened public outrage.
“I was asked for Ksh150,000, another asked for Ksh100,000. I had only prepared school fees,” one parent said.
Learners are expected to begin reporting to their assigned senior schools under the Competency-Based Education curriculum from January 12, after the review window closes. The Ministry says placement changes will only be approved for cases supported by valid and verifiable reasons, as it works to ensure fairness and proper utilisation of available school spaces.
