Another Member of Parliament has set day secondary school fees at Ksh 500 per term.
The decision follows a similar education subsidy model earlier introduced by Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro.
The programme applies to all public day secondary schools within the unnamed constituency area currently.
Parents will now pay a flat Ksh 500 per term, replacing higher fees previously charged.
The constituency leadership plans to cover remaining costs using NG-CDF bursaries and government capitation funds.
Education officials instructed school heads to stop imposing additional levies on students immediately across schools locally.
The policy targets improved access, retention, and completion rates among learners from low-income households nationally.
Many students previously missed classes due to unpaid fees ranging between eight and fifteen thousand shillings annually.
School administrators reported frequent disruptions caused by fee arrears and repeated student sent-home cases incidents.
The new structure aims to eliminate exclusions and keep learners in classrooms throughout the academic term.
The initiative closely mirrors the Masomo Bora programme implemented earlier in Kiharu Constituency successfully locally.
Under that model, Ndindi Nyoro capped fees and introduced a comprehensive day-school feeding programme initiative.
The feeding component played a critical role in improving attendance and reducing dropout rates significantly.
Similarly, the new constituency programme includes meal support for students attending day secondary schools daily.
Officials believe meals will improve concentration, discipline, and academic performance among learners during regular school hours.
Parents across the constituency welcomed the move, describing it as practical relief amid rising living costs.
Several parents said high food prices and fuel costs had strained their ability to pay school fees.
Families with multiple children in secondary school said the policy would significantly reduce household pressure.
Some parents admitted they previously relied on loans or informal borrowing to clear school balances.
The new fee cap allows parents to plan finances without fear of sudden school demands.
However, the initiative has triggered debate among education stakeholders and national policymakers across the country.
Critics argue the model places heavy financial pressure on NG-CDF allocations at constituency levels nationwide.
They warn that bursary funds already support infrastructure, tertiary education, and vulnerable learners across constituencies.
Education analysts caution that sustainability remains uncertain if funding priorities shift or revenues decline nationally.
School heads also raise concerns about covering operational costs like utilities, exams, and support staff wages.
They stress that predictable and timely funding remains essential for maintaining education quality standards nationwide.
Supporters counter that the national government already provides capitation for every enrolled secondary school student.
They argue MPs should prioritise education spending because it delivers long-term economic and social benefits.
Proponents insist the policy redirects funds from less impactful projects toward measurable human development outcomes.
The move has revived debate on the role of MPs in supplementing national education financing.
Kenya’s education policy sets fee guidelines, but enforcement often depends on local leadership decisions structures.
Constituency-driven interventions frequently bridge gaps left by delayed capitation or insufficient allocations from central government.
Observers note that fee reduction policies also enhance political accountability at grassroots levels across constituencies.
Voters increasingly assess leaders based on tangible service delivery rather than campaign rhetoric alone nationally.
As more MPs explore similar programmes, attention will shift toward accountability and financial transparency measures.
Analysts expect pressure to mount for standardised frameworks governing constituency education subsidies across the country.
The Ministry of Education may face calls to formalise guidelines for such fee-reduction initiatives nationwide.
For now, the Ksh 500 policy offers immediate relief to thousands of households across constituencies.
Its long-term success will depend on disciplined fund management and consistent government support from institutions.
Whether the model spreads nationally remains a political and fiscal question facing policymakers today collectively.
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