Kilifi County had 1,453,787 residents in the 2019 census and its capital is Kilifi. This guide lists the national senior schools in Kilifi County, what parents pay in 2026 under the gazetted fees structure, and the universities and colleges in the county that admit students through KUCCPS.
Kilifi County at a glance
| County code | 003 |
| Capital | Kilifi |
| Former province | Coast |
| Area | 12,245.9 km² |
| Population (2019 census) | 1,453,787 |
| Population density | about 119 people per km² |
| National senior schools | 8 |
| Universities on KUCCPS | 1 |
| Colleges on KUCCPS | 9 |
About Kilifi County
Kilifi County is a coastal Kenyan county. It was formed in 2010 as a result of a merger of Kilifi District and Malindi District, Kenya. The county is located north and northeast of Mombasa. Kilifi has fewer tourists than Mombasa County, however there is some tourism in Kikambala, Watamu, Malindi and Kilifi. The county is known for the Ruins of Gedi, which includes mosques and tombs dating from the 11th to the 17th century.
National senior schools in Kilifi County
Kilifi County has 8 national (Cluster 1) senior schools:
- Malindi High School
- Ribe Boys
- Ribe Girls
- Bahari Girls
- Dr. Krapf High School
- Kombeni Girls
- Pwani Secondary for the Hearing Impaired
- Sahajanand Special School
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 Kilifi County
1 university in Kilifi County list degree programmes on the KUCCPS placement portal:
| University | Type | Degree programmes on KUCCPS |
|---|---|---|
| Pwani University | Public | 54 |
See the KUCCPS cut-off points 2025 for each programme.
Most competitive degree programmes in Kilifi County
| Programme | University | 2025 cut-off |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Nursing | Pwani University | 40.672 |
| Bachelor of Education (Science) | Pwani University | 33.858 |
| Bachelor of Science (Computer Science) | Pwani University | 30.955 |
| Bachelor of Science (Hospitality & Tourism Management) | Pwani University | 27.357 |
| Bachelor of Science (Agriculture Education and Extension) | Pwani University | 27.167 |
| Bachelor of Education (Arts) | Pwani University | 26.952 |
| Bachelor of Education (Special Needs Education) | Pwani University | 26.195 |
| Bachelor of Arts | Pwani University | 25.375 |
| Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health | Pwani University | 25.180 |
| Bachelor of Education Science (Computer) | Pwani University | 25.062 |
Colleges in Kilifi County
9 colleges in Kilifi County, including technical training institutes, national polytechnics and medical training college campuses, admit students through KUCCPS:
| College | Type | Ministry |
|---|---|---|
| Galana Teachers Training College | Public | Ministry of Education |
| Godoma Technical Training Institute | Public | Ministry of Education |
| Kaloleni Technical and Vocational College | Public | Ministry of Education |
| Kenya Medical Training College – Kilifi Campus | Public | Ministry of Health |
| Kenya Utalii College – Ronald Ngala | Public | Ministry of Tourism |
| Magarini Technical and Vocational College | Public | Ministry of Education |
| Pwani University Tvet College | Public | University TVET |
| Watamu Technical and Vocational College | Public | Ministry of Education |
| Weru Technical and Vocational College | Public | Ministry of Education |
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 Kilifi County?
Malindi High School, Ribe Boys, Ribe Girls, Bahari Girls, Dr. Krapf High School, Kombeni Girls, Pwani Secondary for the Hearing Impaired, Sahajanand Special School.
How much do boarding schools in Kilifi 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 Kilifi County?
1 university in Kilifi County admit students through KUCCPS.
What is the capital of Kilifi County?
Kilifi.
What was the population of Kilifi County in 2019?
1,453,787 people, according to the 2019 census.
Sources: Kenya Gazette, Wikipedia, KUCCPS, Tuko. Last updated October 2026.
