The Ministry of Education has banned schools from compelling parents to purchase uniforms from the institutions or specified suppliers, Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. Ezekiel Machogu announced Wednesday.
Speaking before Parliament’s Select Committee on Implementation, Machogu said a ministry circular issued in May prohibits schools from mandating where parents buy uniforms.
“The right of every child to free and compulsory basic education is enshrined in Article 53(1)(b) of the Constitution,” Machogu said. “Any measure that locks out children from school would contravene this right, as is the case with prohibitive uniform costs.”
Machogu told the committee, chaired by Kajiado Central MP Memusi Kanchory, that regulations specify no school can require parents to buy materials from certain suppliers.
“How will you ensure the circular is followed to stop schools from stocking uniforms and directing purchases?” Kanchory asked.
Machogu said noncompliant schools would face “necessary action” under the law. He added the ministry has ordered principals not to direct 2024 incoming Form 1 students to specific uniform sellers or stock items themselves.
The National Assembly passed a resolution March 8 urging intervention on rising uniform costs, which lawmaker Gathoni Wamuchomba termed “prohibitively expensive.”
The ministry aims to ensure all Kenyan children can access education as guaranteed under the constitution, Machogu said.
