Parents with children at Kenya Military Academy (KMA) Kindergarten are raising concerns over what they describe as unusually high school fees being charged at the institution despite it reportedly operating as a public school.

According to a whistleblower, the school, which is located within the Kenya Military Academy and caters for learners from Playgroup to Grade 3, is charging parents KSh 12,450 per pupil.

The complainant questions the legal basis for the charges, arguing that public schools are expected to operate within government guidelines on school fees and parental levies.

This allegation has not been independently verified.

According to the whistleblower, the school's headteacher is alleged to have colluded with the administration of the Kenya Military Academy, particularly the Commanding Officer, to introduce or approve the fees being paid by parents.

The complainant says many parents feel they have little choice but to pay because the school is located within a military installation and there is little transparency regarding how the charges were arrived at or approved.

The whistleblower is now asking whether the fees were sanctioned by the Ministry of Education and whether they comply with government policy governing public primary schools.

Parents argue that while schools may levy approved charges for specific services under existing regulations, any fees imposed on learners in public institutions should be transparent, lawful and communicated through the proper channels.

The concerns have also raised questions about oversight of public schools operating within security institutions and whether they are subject to the same financial accountability standards as other public schools across the country.

The matter now places responsibility on the Ministry of Education, led by Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba, and the Principal Secretary for Basic Education, Prof. Julius Bitok, to clarify the school's status and whether the reported fees comply with government regulations.

The leadership of the Kenya Military Academy, including the Commanding Officer, and the school's management should also explain the nature of the charges and whether they were approved by the relevant education authorities.

Below is the complaint received.

Hello Nyakundi. Kindly hide my identity.

There is a school inside Kenya Military Academy known as KMA Kindergarten from Playgroup to Grade 3.

It is a public school, but parents are being charged KSh 12,450 per pupil.

We believe the headteacher has colluded with the Kenya Military Academy administration, particularly the Commanding Officer, to impose these charges.

We are asking the relevant authorities to investigate whether these fees are lawful and approved.