How I Pay Ksh45K School Fees for My Kids Without Digging into My Pocket [Money & Me]

In many Kenyan homes, the phrase “back to school” comes with a wave of stress. I know that feeling all too well. There was a time I would scramble in January, May, and September, piecing together school fees from here and there. Sometimes I desperately found myself dipping into money meant for rent, other times, borrowing. This always had my heart racing.

These days, when schools reopen, I breathe easy. It’s not that my income has drastically increased. What changed is how I prepare. I found a way to pay school fees without having to drastically mess up my monthly budget and, most importantly, without borrowing. It took sacrifice, but it has brought me so much peace.

Turning Things Around

I’m a working father, the sole breadwinner of my household with my beloved wife and two children in school. One is in Grade 2, the other in Grade 6. My salary is Ksh120,000 net, but like many families, it gets stretched quickly. Rent, food, transport, school, emergencies... it adds up fast. For years, especially when my firstborn started school, school fees felt like a monster that crept up quietly and suddenly demanded so much at once.

One particular January, I remember standing in front of the ATM at my bank, feeling helpless. I’d spent most of December’s salary on Christmas travel, new clothes for the family, and the usual— sherehe. Now, fees were due, and I had nothing set aside. That was my wake-up call.

I decided to start treating school fees like rent, non-negotiable and always plan ahead. The first thing I did was open a money market fund account specifically for school fees. I called it my School Fees Fund.

The goal was simple: break the total fee amount into smaller, manageable monthly contributions and save throughout the term before the next one began. Currently, the total school fees for both kids add up to Ksh45,000. (Mark you, my kids are not in a fancy school, but it is a decent enough one within the neighbourhood). I aim to save about Ksh15,000 every month over the three months in between school terms. This amount varies from time to time.

Where did the money come from?

Well, there had to be some reorganisation. I reduced the number of times we went out. Let’s do a little math; for every Sunday we went out as a family of 4, we would spend approximately Ksh3,500 to Ksh5,000 on a simple outing.  Basic level! So Ksh3,500x4 Sundays = Ksh14,000 per month on Sunday outings alone! Which is often a cost that is overlooked.

So instead of our Sunday tradition of eating out every week after church, we now go out once a month—but we still make Sundays special with fun activities at home like board games, family movies, and fun meals. We also simplified our holidays. 

The kids love it. The homemade activities have helped us bond more as a family.

What changed most was my mindset.

Small Steps, Big Relief

Once I got used to setting aside the money regularly, it became part of my routine. I even began making extra income whenever I get a freelance gig, a chama payout, or a bonus. I treat school fees like an essential bill that I pay in advance.

Some months are tight, but knowing that my children’s education is covered gives me a kind of freedom and inner peace that no new outfit or weekend plan can replace.

I didn’t want to wait until high school or university to start thinking seriously about my kids’ education. I want to build the habit now, while the amounts are still manageable, so that I am not caught off guard later.

Things are tight right now. Prices have gone up, but salaries have stayed the same for many of us. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: you don’t need to be rich to plan ahead.

Here’s What Has Worked for Me:

• Start immediately after paying the current term’s fees. Even a small amount every month is better than nothing. It adds up.
• Separate the money. Use a dedicated account, Money Market Fund (MMF), or Sacco savings account (withdrawable or target) that you won’t easily dip into.
• Adjust your lifestyle. You may need to sacrifice short-term comforts for long-term peace of mind. That trade-off is worth it.
• Stick to the goal. Let school fees be a top priority, not an afterthought.

These days, I no longer lose sleep over school fees. I may not have it all figured out, but I know that every small step I take makes a big difference. 

My children’s education is secure not because I earn a lot, but because I plan for it like it matters. Because it does.