West Pokot County had 621,241 residents in the 2019 census and its capital is Kapenguria. This guide lists the national senior schools in West Pokot County, what parents pay in 2026 under the gazetted fees structure, and the universities and colleges in the county that admit students through KUCCPS.
West Pokot County at a glance
| County code | 024 |
| Capital | Kapenguria |
| Former province | Rift Valley |
| Area | 8,418.2 km² |
| Population (2019 census) | 621,241 |
| Population density | about 74 people per km² |
| National senior schools | 2 |
| Universities on KUCCPS | 0 |
| Colleges on KUCCPS | 3 |
About West Pokot County
West Pokot County is a county in Kenya. West Pokot County is bordered to the north by Turkana County, to the east by Baringo County, to the south-east by Elgeyo-Marakwet County, to the south by Trans Nzoia County and to the west by Uganda. It is predominantly rural and is widely associated with pastoralism, agro-pastoral production and cross-border trade with Uganda. The county is home to Tegla Loroupe, one of Kenya's most prominent female long-distance runners, and is the birthplace of Israeli Olympic marathon runner Lonah Chemtai Salpeter.
National senior schools in West Pokot County
West Pokot County has 2 national (Cluster 1) senior schools:
- Chewoyet High School
- St. Elizabeth 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 West Pokot County
No university in West Pokot County lists degree programmes on the KUCCPS portal; students from the county attend universities elsewhere. See KUCCPS cut-off points 2025.
Colleges in West Pokot County
3 colleges in West Pokot County, including technical training institutes, national polytechnics and medical training college campuses, admit students through KUCCPS:
| College | Type | Ministry |
|---|---|---|
| Chesta Teachers Training College | Public | Ministry of Education |
| Kenya Medical Training College – Kapenguria Campus | Public | Ministry of Health |
| Kitelakapel Technical Training Institute | 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 West Pokot County?
Chewoyet High School, St. Elizabeth Girls.
How much do boarding schools in West Pokot 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 West Pokot County?
0 universities in West Pokot County admit students through KUCCPS.
What is the capital of West Pokot County?
Kapenguria.
What was the population of West Pokot County in 2019?
621,241 people, according to the 2019 census.
Sources: Kenya Gazette, Wikipedia, KUCCPS, Tuko. Last updated October 2026.
