As schools prepare to reopen across the country tomorrow, many parents are finding themselves burdened by soaring textbook prices and mounting school bills. Unlike in previous years, when bookshops and uniform centers would be packed with last-minute shoppers, this weekend saw a noticeably smaller turnout.
At major bus stations and bookshops in Nairobi, only a handful of parents and students were spotted making preparations — a sharp contrast to the typical crowds.
Many parents said they had opted to travel early to avoid the usual Monday congestion.
“I decided they leave on Sunday because on Monday there’s always heavy traffic and too many children,” explained Faith Kimanzi, a parent preparing to send her children back to school.
However, timing was not the only concern. This term’s reopening has coincided with mounting financial pressures, with parents citing the rising costs of school supplies and an ill-timed school calendar set before the end of the month — a period when many workers have not yet been paid.
“The cost of living has gone up — what we used to buy for 100 shillings now goes for 200,” said Jonstone Muyelele, another parent. “And with many books to buy, especially if you have more than one child, it’s tough.”
Parents are also grappling with new requirements under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), which have driven expenses even higher.
“From books to laptops required by the CBC curriculum, the prices are high,” added Kimanzi. “As a parent, you just have to gather strength and push through.”
The financial strain has not spared vendors either. Sellers of uniforms and school supplies report a sharp drop in sales, compared to previous back-to-school seasons.
“Today I haven’t made a single sale,” said Mercy Musumba, a uniform seller. “On a day like this, we’d usually have sold to over 100 customers. The government needs to fix the economy.”
Education stakeholders are now warning that the subdued shopping activity is a stark reflection of the economic hardship facing families across the country, and are calling for urgent interventions to ease the burden on parents.
