Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro has cut school fees for day secondary students in his constituency to KSh500 per term as part of the 2026 Masomo Bora programme launch. The initiative kicked off in early January 2026, covering over 12,000 students in 65 schools.
Nyoro announced the reduction from the previous KSh1,000 rate during an event attended by parents, teachers, and local leaders. The program also includes daily lunches and other support to help families manage education costs.
The Masomo Bora scheme started in 2023. It uses funds from the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) to ease burdens beyond what the national capitation provides. This year, the fee drop aims to keep more kids in school.
Nyoro explained that high costs lead to dropouts in rural areas like Kiharu. He said the programme has already boosted attendance and exam performance in past years.
Daily meals form a big part of the package. Students get githeri or rice most days, with chapati once a month. Nyoro’s team allocated KSh10 million for revision books and materials.
Another KSh50 million goes toward building and equipping labs in select schools. Form 1 students in some institutions receive free uniforms. Top-performing teachers get incentives like trips to Mombasa to motivate them.
Parents at the launch expressed relief. One mother from a farming family said the lower fees mean her child can stay in school without skipping terms. Teachers noted better focus from fed students.
The program reaches all public day secondary schools in Kiharu, a rural constituency in Murang’a County. It serves areas where many families rely on small-scale agriculture.
Nyoro, a young MP known for development focus, funds most of this through NG-CDF allocations. The fund gives each constituency money for local projects.
He has prioritised education since taking office. Past editions of Masomo Bora covered similar items but at higher fees. The 2026 cut responds to rising living costs after recent economic pressures in Kenya.
Local leaders praised the move. Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata attended and called it a model for other areas. He said such programmes help bridge gaps in national education funding. Kenya’s government provides capitation of about KSh22,000 per student yearly, but extras like meals fall on parents or schools.
Critics sometimes question NG-CDF use. They say funds should spread across more sectors. Nyoro defends education as key to breaking poverty cycles. Data from his office shows improved KCSE results in Kiharu since the programme began. Enrolment rose by 15 per cent in some schools.
The launch event drew crowds to a school ground in Kiharu. Nyoro arrived with a team of officials. He spoke for about 30 minutes, outlining the benefits. Students performed songs and dances. Parents registered for the reduced fees on site. The atmosphere felt hopeful, with many taking photos.
This initiative fits broader efforts in Kenya to make education affordable. Free-day secondary schooling exists, but hidden costs add up. Programmes like Masomo Bora fill those gaps. Nyoro plans to monitor progress through school visits and reports.
For families in Kiharu, the change brings real help. One father said it frees money for other needs like uniforms or books. Teachers expect fewer absences.
Nyoro ended his speech with a call for community support. He asked parents to encourage homework and attendance. The programme runs for the full year, with reviews at term ends. Kiharu residents look forward to the impact. Similar schemes in other constituencies could follow if results stay positive.
