Nairobi County had 4,397,073 residents in the 2019 census and its capital is Nairobi. This guide lists the national senior schools in Nairobi County, what parents pay in 2026 under the gazetted fees structure, and the universities and colleges in the county that admit students through KUCCPS.
Nairobi County at a glance
| County code | 047 |
| Capital | Nairobi |
| Former province | Nairobi |
| Area | 694.9 km² |
| Population (2019 census) | 4,397,073 |
| Population density | about 6,328 people per km² |
| National senior schools | 13 |
| Universities on KUCCPS | 20 |
| Colleges on KUCCPS | 30 |
About Nairobi County
Despite its small size, Nairobi County contributes approximately 27.5% of Kenya's Gross Domestic Product, making it the economic powerhouse of the nation. The county was established on 4 March 2013 under Kenya's new constitution, replacing the former Nairobi Province administrative unit. It comprises 17 constituencies and 85 electoral wards, with 11 gazetted sub-counties for administrative purposes.
National senior schools in Nairobi County
Nairobi County has 13 national (Cluster 1) senior schools:
- Lenana School
- Precious Blood Riruta
- Moi Forces Academy
- Kasarani Tree Side for the Deaf
- Starehe Girls Centre
- Moi Girls Secondary
- Buruburu Girls
- Pangani Girls
- Starehe Boys' Centre
- Kenya High School
- Nairobi School
- St George's Girls
- State House Girls
How school categories work
Public senior schools in Kenya fall into four categories. National schools (Cluster 1) admit learners from every county through Ministry of Education placement and have the most places in high demand. Extra-county schools admit most learners from their own region and some from other counties. County schools admit mainly from their home county, and sub-county schools, most of them day schools, serve the local area. Under the competency-based curriculum, Grade 9 learners choose senior schools and a pathway (STEM, social sciences, or arts and sports science), and the Ministry places them according to their choices, their assessment results and the places available.
Category is the one objective, published criterion we use on this page. There is no official school-by-school ranking of KCSE results, so we do not rank schools within the list.
Senior school pathways
Under the competency-based curriculum, senior school runs from Grade 10 to Grade 12. Learners follow one of three pathways: STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), social sciences, or arts and sports science. Each senior school offers a set of subject combinations within these pathways, so the right school depends on the pathway your child wants as well as on category and cost. Ask schools which combinations they offer and how many places they have in each before you make your Grade 9 choices.
Senior school fees in 2026
All public senior schools follow the single fees structure in Gazette Notice No. 1449, effective 5 January 2026. Government pays KSh 22,244 per learner per year in every public senior school, and parents pay the boarding share.
| Category | Government (KSh/yr) | Parent (KSh/yr) | Total (KSh/yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day senior school | 22,244 | 0 | 22,244 |
| Boarding (KSh 53,554 cap) | 22,244 | 53,554 | 75,798 |
| Boarding (KSh 40,535 cap) | 22,244 | 40,535 | 62,779 |
| Special needs schools | 57,974 | 12,790 | 70,764 |
Fees are paid over the three terms in the ratio 50:30:20, so a parent at a KSh 53,554 school pays KSh 26,777 in Term 1, KSh 16,066 in Term 2 and KSh 10,711 in Term 3. No public school may charge levies outside the gazetted structure. See senior school fees 2026 for the full vote-head breakdown.
Junior schools and capitation
Public junior schools (Grades 7–9) are day schools, most of them hosted in primary schools, and are funded by government capitation released to schools in termly instalments. Senior school capitation is KSh 22,244 per learner a year under the 2026 gazette. Parents of day learners should not be asked for tuition fees, though schools may ask for uniforms and personal items. See school capitation 2026.
Bursaries and scholarships
Families who struggle with boarding fees can apply for help from several sources. The National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) and county governments run bursary schemes for needy secondary learners, usually with applications through the constituency or ward office. The Ministry of Education’s Elimu Scholarship Programme and private schemes such as Equity Group Foundation’s Wings to Fly support bright learners from poor households. Apply early, keep copies of fee statements and the school’s fee structure, and ask the school bursar which bursaries its learners usually receive.
Universities in Nairobi County
20 universities in Nairobi County list degree programmes on the KUCCPS placement portal:
| University | Type | Degree programmes on KUCCPS |
|---|---|---|
| Africa International University | Private | 10 |
| Amref International University | Private | 5 |
| Catholic University of Eastern Africa | Private | 29 |
| Co-operative University of Kenya | Public | 36 |
| International Leadership University | Private | 3 |
| Islamic University of Kenya | Private | 5 |
| Kca University | Private | 21 |
| Kenya Assemblies of God East University | Private | 7 |
| Kenyatta University | Public | 90 |
| Kiriri Womens University of Science and Technology | Private | 10 |
| Management University of Africa | Private | 5 |
| Marist International University College | Private | 3 |
| Multimedia University of Kenya | Public | 25 |
| Pan Africa Christian University | Private | 7 |
| Pioneer International University | Private | 4 |
| Riara University | Private | 5 |
| Tangaza University | Private | 8 |
| Technical University of Kenya | Public | 53 |
| University of Nairobi | Public | 59 |
| Zetech University | Private | 28 |
See the KUCCPS cut-off points 2025 for each programme.
Most competitive degree programmes in Nairobi County
| Programme | University | 2025 cut-off |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery | University of Nairobi | 46.069 |
| Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (M.B.CH.B.) | Kenyatta University | 45.961 |
| Bachelor of Dental Surgery | University of Nairobi | 45.652 |
| Bachelor of Pharmacy | University of Nairobi | 45.234 |
| Bachelor of Science (Computer Science) | University of Nairobi | 44.970 |
| Bachelor of Pharmacy | Kenyatta University | 44.945 |
| Bachelor of Science (Civil Engineering) | University of Nairobi | 44.267 |
| Bachelor of Science (Nursing) | University of Nairobi | 44.188 |
| Bachelor of Science (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) | University of Nairobi | 43.681 |
| Bachelor of Science (Nursing and Public Health) | Kenyatta University | 43.351 |
Colleges in Nairobi County
30 colleges in Nairobi County, including technical training institutes, national polytechnics and medical training college campuses, admit students through KUCCPS:
| College | Type | Ministry |
|---|---|---|
| Centre for Tourism Training and Research | Public | In Other Ministries |
| East African School of Aviation | Public | In Other Ministries |
| Kabete National Polytechnic | Public | Ministry of Education |
| Kamukunji Technical Vocational College | Public | Ministry of Education |
| Karen Technical Training Institute for the Deaf | Public | Ministry of Education |
| Kasarani Technical and Vocational College | Public | Ministry of Education |
| Kasneb | Public | In Other Ministries |
| Kenya Institute of Highways and Building Technology | Public | In Other Ministries |
| Kenya Institute of Mass Communication | Public | In Other Ministries |
| Kenya Institute of Surveying and Mapping | Public | In Other Ministries |
| Kenya Medical Training College – Karen – Nairobi Campus | Public | Ministry of Health |
| Kenya Medical Training College – Mathare Campus | Public | Ministry of Health |
| Kenya Medical Training College – Nairobi Campus | Public | Ministry of Health |
| Kenya School of Law | Public | In Other Ministries |
| Kenya Technical Trainers College | Public | |
| Kenya Utalii College | Public | Ministry of Tourism |
| Kenya Water Institute | Public | In Other Ministries |
| Kenyatta University – City Campus, Tvet Centre | Public | University TVET |
| Kenyatta University Tvet – Main Campus | Public | University TVET |
| Kibra Technical and Vocational College | Public | Ministry of Education |
| Langata Technical & Vocational College | Public | Ministry of Education |
| Morendat Institute of Oil and Gas | Public | In Other Ministries |
| Multimedia University of Kenya Tvet Centre | Public | University TVET |
| Pc Kinyanjui Technical Training Institute | Public | Ministry of Education |
| Railway Training Institute | Public | In Other Ministries |
| Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development | Public | In Other Ministries |
| The Co-operative University of Kenya Institute of Tvet (Cuk – Itvet) | Public | University TVET |
| The Cuk Nairobi Cbd Training Institute | Public | University TVET |
| The Nairobi National Polytechnic | Public | Ministry of Education |
| Tuk Directorate of Tvet College | Public | University TVET |
Public TVET fees are explained on TVET fees in Kenya 2026.
2026 school calendar
| Term | Opens | Half-term | Closes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | 5 January | 25 February – 1 March | 2 April |
| Term 2 | 27 April | 24 – 28 June | 31 July |
| Term 3 | 24 August | 23 October |
KCSE runs from 2 to 20 November 2026. Full dates are on the 2026 school calendar page.
How to choose a school
- Check the school’s category and whether it is day or boarding, which sets the maximum fee.
- Ask for the fee structure on school letterhead and compare it with the gazetted caps.
- Confirm which senior school pathways and subject combinations the school offers.
- Consider travel distance and cost for day schools, and visiting arrangements for boarding schools.
- Pay fees only into the school’s official bank account or paybill, never to an individual.
Related
School fees in Kenya hub · University and TVET fees · KUCCPS cut-off points
Frequently asked questions
Which are the national schools in Nairobi County?
Lenana School, Precious Blood Riruta, Moi Forces Academy, Kasarani Tree Side for the Deaf, Starehe Girls Centre, Moi Girls Secondary, Buruburu Girls, Pangani Girls, Starehe Boys’ Centre, Kenya High School, Nairobi School, St George’s Girls, State House Girls.
How much do boarding schools in Nairobi County charge in 2026?
At most KSh 53,554 or KSh 40,535 a year for parents, depending on the school’s approved cap; public day schools are free.
How many universities are in Nairobi County?
20 universities in Nairobi County admit students through KUCCPS.
What is the capital of Nairobi County?
Nairobi.
What was the population of Nairobi County in 2019?
4,397,073 people, according to the 2019 census.
Sources: Kenya Gazette, Wikipedia, KUCCPS, Tuko. Last updated October 2026.
