Govt Sets Limits for Payable School Fees for Senior and Secondary Schools

Hello and welcome to the Money News Roundup Newsletter, where we cover the new limits of school fees payable in senior and secondary schools. We also cover the rally for Kenya Power, Safaricom and EABL shares.

Govt Sets Limits for Payable School Fees for Senior and Secondary Schools

The Ministry of Education has gazetted a new fee structure for public senior schools under both the Competency-Based Education and 8-4-4 systems, detailing cost-sharing between parents and the government.

As reported by the Star, in a notice dated February 6, 2026, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said the fees, effective January 5, 2026, will be paid across three terms in a 50:30:20 ratio.

Day senior schools will continue to charge zero tuition, while boarding school fees remain capped based on previously approved limits. For schools approved at a maximum of Ksh53,554, the government will contribute Ksh22,244 covering teaching and learning materials, exams, activities, medical cover, SMASSE, administration and maintenance. 

Parents will pay Ksh53,554 for boarding equipment, other vote heads and activities, bringing the total to Ksh75,798.

For schools capped at Ksh40,535, the government contribution remains Ksh22,244, while parents pay Ksh40,535, resulting in a total of Ksh62,779.

Special needs schools will have a ceiling of Ksh70,764, with the government contributing Ksh57,974 and parents Ksh12,790.

Ogamba warned that no public school should levy fees outside the approved structure without gazettement.

Teachers Threaten SHA Medical Scheme Boycott Over Delays and Denied Treatment

Teachers’ unions have warned of a possible boycott of the Social Health Authority (SHA) medical scheme over alleged treatment delays and denied care, saying problems persist months after rollout. 

KUPPET and KNUT say teachers have been turned away from major hospitals, benefits have been delayed, and complaint channels remain unclear. 

KUPPET chair Omboko Milemba said a promised three-month review is overdue, citing cases at Nairobi Hospital, Avenue, Guru Nanak and Aga Khan. Deputy SG Moses Nthurima warned that a boycott may be advised if issues persist.

SHA CEO Mercy Mwangangi dismissed the claims as isolated, saying over 225,000 teachers and dependents have accessed services. SHA says it has strengthened complaint handling and access across 8,000 facilities. Read more

EABL, Kenya Power and Safaricom Share Prices Increase After Announcements of  Higher Interim Dividends

Shares of East African Breweries Plc (EABL), Kenya Power and Safaricom rallied last week after the three firms announced higher interim dividends, triggering increased investor demand ahead of book closures.

As reported by the Business Daily, Safaricom led the gains, rising by 4.57% from Ksh30.60 to Ksh32, and briefly touching a one-year high of Ksh32.50. The telco raised its interim dividend by 54.5% to Ksh0.85 per share after posting a 52.1% jump in half-year profit to Ksh42.7 billion.

Kenya Power’s share price rose by 1.6% to Ksh15.45 after lifting its interim dividend by 50% to Ksh0.30, backed by a profit increase to Ksh10.4 billion.

EABL share prices gained by 2.3% after raising its interim dividend by 60% to Ksh4 per share, following a 37.6% profit growth to Ksh11.6 billion.

KRA Restores Nil Return Filing After System Upgrade to Tighten Tax Compliance

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has reinstated the Nil return filing option after completing internal system validations aimed at tightening compliance ahead of the 2025 income tax cycle.

As reported by Eastleigh Voice, the option will apply to January–December 2025 returns filed after March 31, 2026, when new iTax checks take effect, and does not affect earlier filings or ongoing obligations such as PAYE, excise duty, MRI and TOT.

The Nil option was suspended in January, causing confusion among taxpayers with no declared income but visible transactions. KRA says the move targets abuse, noting that 392,162 taxpayers with withholding tax deductions still filed Nil returns. 

Officials stressed that the Withholding Tax of 5.0% or 3.0% is an advance tax, not final. With prepopulated returns using third-party data and eTIMS, KRA aims to curb omissions and expand compliance under its Income and Expenditure Verification programme.

Govt to Enhance Ngong Road, Awards Ksh3.9B Project to Chinese and Local Firms 

Two Chinese firms and a local company have been selected to build walkways, single carriageways, and footbridges around Talanta Sports City Stadium in a Ksh3.9 billion project ahead of the 2027 African Cup of Nations. 

China Road and Bridge Corporation, China WU Yi Co Ltd, and Gaps Construction and Engineering Co. Ltd were picked by Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) through the Specially Permitted Procurement Procedure (SPPP), allowing urgent projects to bypass standard tendering.

As reported by the Business Daily, the works include walkways along Ngong Road, single carriageways linking Ngong Road to Cemetery Road, and bridges at Southern Bypass and Ngong Road.

The 12-month project will also connect the VIP side of Talanta Stadium to the Kenya Scouts Association. Chinese firms dominate Kenya’s infrastructure sector, having built the Nairobi Expressway, SGR, Thika Superhighway, and other major roads, while local contractors remain limited to smaller projects.

Kenya Begins Drawdown of Police in Haiti as UN Gang Suppression Force Takes Over

As reported by Capital Business, Kenya is set to reduce its police deployment in Haiti after achieving key stabilisation goals, Foreign Affairs PS Korir Sing’Oei said. 

Since October 2023, Kenya led the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission with 735 officers, strengthening the Haitian National Police, securing critical infrastructure, and building a sustainable security framework despite funding and mandate constraints.

Leadership has now been handed to the UN-backed Gang Suppression Force (GSF), authorized under Chapter VII with over 5,500 personnel, tasked with proactive anti-gang operations. 

Kenya continues to support GSF, deploying its fifth contingent of 230 officers. Sing’Oei said Kenya’s mission demonstrated credibility and respect for Haitian institutions, laying the groundwork for lasting stability, while the GSF’s enhanced mandate and resources aim to consolidate gains and restore state control amid entrenched gang violence.

Sasini to Sell Kiambu Coffee Estate for Ksh7.9 Billion, Eyes Big Capital Gains

Agricultural firm Sasini is set to sell a coffee estate in Kiambu County for Ksh7.9 billion, a deal expected to deliver significant capital gains. 

The NSE-listed company said the property, with a carrying value of Ksh3.7 billion, is being disposed of after an agreement reached on September 17, 2025 to sell the Gulmarg Division under Mweiga Estates Limited.

The transaction value far exceeds Sasini’s market capitalisation of about Ksh4.6 billion, highlighting the discount at which agricultural stocks trade on the NSE. 

Sasini said payment had not been received by the time of reporting and that no liabilities are attached to the sale, allowing it to retain most proceeds.

The division posted a Ksh10.6 million profit in the year to September, reversing a Ksh6.3 million loss previously. Sasini has a history of asset disposals, including property sales in Nairobi and Nyeri. 

Coffee trading was the top performer, generating a record Ksh237.2 million profit in 2025, supported by strong prices despite lower output. Read more

Charles Mahinda Appointed New Chairperson of Competition Authority of Kenya

Charles Mahinda has been appointed chairperson of the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) by President William Ruto, replacing Shaka Kariuki. Mahinda will serve a three-year non-executive term, leading board meetings that guide anti-trust regulation and consumer protection.

He brings over three decades of experience in industrial development, international trade, and public policy. Mahinda previously served as technical adviser to the Cabinet Secretaries for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, and Trade and Industry, and was founding CEO of the Special Economic Zones Authority.

As reported by the Business Daily, he contributed to Kenya’s Industrial Masterplan, industrialisation framework, and trade negotiations.

Outgoing chairperson Kariuki, who led CAK since February 2023, strengthened enforcement of the Competition Act, especially in digital markets, and improved oversight, enterprise risk management, and transparency. He also served on boards, including TransCentury and NAS Foods and co-founded Kurano Capital.