Kenyan senators have opened a far-reaching inquiry into the conduct of international schools amid claims of illegal operations, labour abuses and weak oversight by regulators.
The Senate Education Committee will lead the probe following concerns that some institutions may be bypassing the law while relying on political backing or diplomatic links to avoid action.
The investigation follows a petition by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, who urged the House to examine whether some foreign-system schools are operating outside the legal framework.
Lawmakers say the review is meant to protect learners, parents and teachers while ensuring that every institution adheres to national laws.
“While Kenya supports international investment in education, we cannot allow institutions to operate outside the law or undermine our regulatory framework,” he said.
Cherargei told senators that although the country welcomes foreign capital in the education sector, no school should exploit gaps in regulation. He alleged that some institutions employ foreign nationals using tourist visas instead of securing the required Class D work permits, a practice he said sidelines qualified Kenyan teachers seeking work.
The senator further claimed that several international schools are running from residential houses without the necessary zoning approvals. According to him, such arrangements place learners in unsafe settings and breach planning rules meant to safeguard public safety.
He also raised alarm over suspected financial misconduct, saying some employers deduct statutory contributions such as NSSF, the Housing Levy and the Social Health Authority from staff salaries but fail to forward the money to the relevant agencies.
“Academically, there are claims that some institutions have expanded into secondary education without approval from the Ministry of Education, falsified student assessments and created hostile learning environments that have forced parents to withdraw their children,” Cherargei said.
The concerns sparked wider debate in the Senate, with several members warning that the rapid rise of international schools has revealed serious regulatory weaknesses.
Wajir Senator Abass Sheikh noted that new learning institutions are mushrooming across the country, some in buildings that are not suitable for schools.
“Some schools are being set up in high-rise premises with limited space for play and emergency access. This puts learners at risk and calls for stricter regulation,” he said.
Nominated Senator Beatrice Ogola supported the inquiry and called for close scrutiny of the social and ethical aspects of foreign curricula. She said institutions offering international systems must still fall under the watch of the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development to ensure consistency with national standards.
“Even where schools offer foreign curricula, there must be supervision by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development to ensure alignment with national values and standards,” she said.
Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei said the claims suggest lapses by agencies tasked with licensing and monitoring schools. He linked the issue to complaints filed by former staff over alleged labour violations.
“If institutions are operating without licences or failing to remit statutory deductions, then oversight bodies must be held accountable,” he said.
Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu described the allegations as weighty and insisted that all learning institutions must be properly registered and comply with labour regulations.
“We cannot tolerate situations where workers’ statutory deductions are not remitted. That is a direct violation of their rights,” he said.
Nyutu also questioned why some schools appear to favour foreign teachers despite high unemployment among trained Kenyan educators. He called for county and sub-county education officials to answer for any unlicensed institutions operating under their watch.
The probe comes at a time when demand for foreign curricula is rising, especially in Nairobi, where many international schools have been established to serve expatriates and middle-income families seeking alternative education pathways.
Should the claims be confirmed, the committee could propose wide-ranging changes to how international schools are approved and supervised. Areas likely to be reviewed include zoning rules, accreditation processes, labour compliance, immigration requirements and curriculum oversight.
The Senate Education Committee is expected to present its report and recommendations to the House in the coming weeks.
