• This reform is Kenya’s most ambitious education change since independence. It promises personalized learning and career-focused pathways. Yet, as Ogamba’s update shows, the journey remains marked by logistical challenges, financial strain, and the need for stronger coordination.

The extension for Grade 10 admissions to Senior School closed on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. The reporting day, first set for January 12, was pushed to January 16 and later extended again after a low turnout of students.

Speaking on national television on January 21, 2026, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has admitted the rollout faced hurdles. “These are the normal challenges of a new system,” he said, adding that the government remains confident in the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). He credited President William Ruto’s intervention for giving the education sector a clear path, showing where Kenya has come from and where it is headed.

By the time the transition window closed, 85 percent of learners had reported. Ogamba explained that the extension was necessary to capture the additional 15 percent of students who had not reported earlier. He expressed confidence that by the end of the week, the transition rate would rise to 95 percent, with the government analyzing exit reports to push towards 100 percent enrollment.

Ogamba highlighted several reasons for the shortfall:

Low turnout: Parents transferring their children to other schools and waiting for admission windows.

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Financial strain: Families struggling with costs, with government partnerships stepping in to ease the burden.

Logistical gaps: The Ministry of Interior working to trace and enroll children in areas with low reporting.

Earlier, the Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen added that the government inherited the CBC system without a proper transition plan from the previous administration. Despite early challenges, he said progress has been made, and assured that the government is working towards full coverage.

The Grade 10 transition marks Kenya’s shift from Junior Secondary (Grade 7–9) into pathway-based Senior Secondary education under CBC. Learners now choose specialized tracks in STEM, Social Sciences, or Arts and Sports. The rollout began in January 2026, but families faced confusion, delays, and even unofficial “commitment fees” during school allocation.

This reform is Kenya’s most ambitious education change since independence. It promises personalized learning and career-focused pathways. Yet, as Ogamba’s update shows, the journey remains marked by logistical challenges, financial strain, and the need for stronger coordination.

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