Kisii County had 1,266,860 residents in the 2019 census and its capital is Kisii. This guide lists the national senior schools in Kisii County, what parents pay in 2026 under the gazetted fees structure, and the universities and colleges in the county that admit students through KUCCPS.
Kisii County at a glance
| County code | 045 |
| Capital | Kisii |
| Former province | Nyanza |
| Area | 1,317.9 km² |
| Population (2019 census) | 1,266,860 |
| Population density | about 961 people per km² |
| National senior schools | 5 |
| Universities on KUCCPS | 1 |
| Colleges on KUCCPS | 12 |
About Kisii County
Kisii County is a county in the former Nyanza Province in southwestern Kenya. It borders Nyamira County to the North East, Narok County to the South, and Homa Bay and Migori Counties to the West.
National senior schools in Kisii County
Kisii County has 5 national (Cluster 1) senior schools:
- Kisii High School
- Nyabururu Girls
- Kereri Girls
- Riokindo Boys
- Gianchere Friends Secondary/Vocational for the Hearing Impaired
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 Kisii County
1 university in Kisii County list degree programmes on the KUCCPS placement portal:
| University | Type | Degree programmes on KUCCPS |
|---|---|---|
| Kisii University | Public | 80 |
See the KUCCPS cut-off points 2025 for each programme.
Most competitive degree programmes in Kisii County
| Programme | University | 2025 cut-off |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery | Kisii University | 44.941 |
| Bachelor of Pharmacy | Kisii University | 43.616 |
| Bachelor of Science in Nursing | Kisii University | 42.596 |
| Bachelor of Science in Clinical Medicine and Community Health | Kisii University | 42.008 |
| Bachelor of Laws (Ll.b.) | Kisii University | 38.743 |
| Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences | Kisii University | 38.424 |
| Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences & Technology | Kisii University | 34.912 |
| Bachelor of Education (Science) | Kisii University | 34.451 |
| Bachelor of Science in Public Health | Kisii University | 31.799 |
| Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education & Extension | Kisii University | 30.449 |
Colleges in Kisii County
12 colleges in Kisii County, including technical training institutes, national polytechnics and medical training college campuses, admit students through KUCCPS:
| College | Type | Ministry |
|---|---|---|
| Kenya Medical Training College – Kisii Campus | Public | Ministry of Health |
| Kenya Medical Training College – Nyamache – Gucha Satellite | Public | Ministry of Health |
| Kenya Medical Training College – Nyamache Campus | Public | Ministry of Health |
| Kenyenya Teachers Training College | Public | Ministry of Education |
| Keroka Technical Training Institute | Public | Ministry of Education |
| Kisii National Polytechnic | Public | Ministry of Education |
| Kisii University Tvet Institute | Public | University TVET |
| Kitutu Chache Technical & Vocational College | Public | Ministry of Education |
| Orogare Technical and Vocational College | Public | Ministry of Education |
| Riamo Technical Vocational College | Public | Ministry of Education |
| Riatirimba Technical & Vocational College | Public | Ministry of Education |
| Riragia 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 Kisii County?
Kisii High School, Nyabururu Girls, Kereri Girls, Riokindo Boys, Gianchere Friends Secondary/Vocational for the Hearing Impaired.
How much do boarding schools in Kisii 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 Kisii County?
1 university in Kisii County admit students through KUCCPS.
What is the capital of Kisii County?
Kisii.
What was the population of Kisii County in 2019?
1,266,860 people, according to the 2019 census.
Sources: Kenya Gazette, Wikipedia, KUCCPS, Tuko. Last updated October 2026.
