Kirinyaga County had 610,411 residents in the 2019 census and its capital is Kerugoya. This guide lists the national senior schools in Kirinyaga County, what parents pay in 2026 under the gazetted fees structure, and the universities and colleges in the county that admit students through KUCCPS.
Kirinyaga County at a glance
| County code | 020 |
| Capital | Kerugoya |
| Former province | Central |
| Area | 1,205.4 km² |
| Population (2019 census) | 610,411 |
| Population density | about 506 people per km² |
| National senior schools | 5 |
| Universities on KUCCPS | 1 |
| Colleges on KUCCPS | 4 |
About Kirinyaga County
The county is bordered to the east and south by Embu County, to the south by a tiny part of Machakos County, to the southwest by Murang'a County and to the northwest by Nyeri County. Kirinyaga County lies between 1158m and 5199m above sea level; its highest point is the summit of Mount Kenya. Kirinyaga County's governor is Anne Waiguru, who was elected for her first term in 2017, succeeding Joseph Ndathi.
National senior schools in Kirinyaga County
Kirinyaga County has 5 national (Cluster 1) senior schools:
- Kianyaga High School
- Kabare Girls
- Mutira Girls
- St. Faustina Kerugoya Girls
- Baricho High 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 Kirinyaga County
1 university in Kirinyaga County list degree programmes on the KUCCPS placement portal:
| University | Type | Degree programmes on KUCCPS |
|---|---|---|
| Kirinyaga University | Public | 42 |
See the KUCCPS cut-off points 2025 for each programme.
Most competitive degree programmes in Kirinyaga County
| Programme | University | 2025 cut-off |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Science in Clinical Medicine and Community Health | Kirinyaga University | 40.244 |
| Bachelor of Science (Nursing) | Kirinyaga University | 40.234 |
| Bachelor of Science (Medical Laboratory Science) | Kirinyaga University | 36.259 |
| Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering | Kirinyaga University | 33.312 |
| Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering | Kirinyaga University | 33.084 |
| Bachelor of Education Science | Kirinyaga University | 30.094 |
| Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering | Kirinyaga University | 27.514 |
| Bachelor of Science in Medical Biotechnology | Kirinyaga University | 27.018 |
| Bachelor of Technology in Medical Engineering | Kirinyaga University | 26.974 |
| Bachelor of Education Arts | Kirinyaga University | 26.451 |
Colleges in Kirinyaga County
4 colleges in Kirinyaga County, including technical training institutes, national polytechnics and medical training college campuses, admit students through KUCCPS:
| College | Type | Ministry |
|---|---|---|
| Gichugu Technical and Vocational College | Public | Ministry of Education |
| Kirinyaga Central Technical& Vocational College | Public | Ministry of Education |
| Mwea Technical & Vocational College | Public | Ministry of Education |
| Ndia 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 Kirinyaga County?
Kianyaga High School, Kabare Girls, Mutira Girls, St. Faustina Kerugoya Girls, Baricho High School.
How much do boarding schools in Kirinyaga 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 Kirinyaga County?
1 university in Kirinyaga County admit students through KUCCPS.
What is the capital of Kirinyaga County?
Kerugoya.
What was the population of Kirinyaga County in 2019?
610,411 people, according to the 2019 census.
Sources: Kenya Gazette, Wikipedia, KUCCPS, Tuko. Last updated October 2026.
