Parents decry high cost of school items ahead of new term

But for those with children who are transitioning to grade 9, this year’s preparations come with an extra layer of frustration and confusion. Grade 9 parents are grappling with textbook shortages and confusion over the list.

"it's a last-minute rush we are opening school on Tuesday and I can say I have not found all the books but I am still on the lookout so that my kids can go back to school," Brenda, a Grade 9 parent said. 

Booksellers attributed the shortage of grade 9 textbooks to delayed publishing and slow distribution to bookstores.

"We had delays in delivery of books from grades 1 to 4 but I think other books are coming in grades 4 and 5 also we had a challenge because they were doubting whether they were going to use the new or old ones," Kenneth Indaraba, bookseller at Textbook Centre noted. 

 These delays have confused schools, leaving many unable to issue formal book lists to parents.

"They are expensive a book can cost up to Ksh.3,500 its costly yes but as per education you cannot say education is too much for your child," Brenda added. 

The Ministry of Education, however, said that the printing of these books is complete, emphasizing that by next week, all public schools will have the books.

"9.9 million books have been printed and distribution is at 85 per cent," Education PS Belio Kipsang noted.