Businessman and political figure Jimi Wanjigi has called for a national conversation on whether Kenya should abolish the boarding school system and adopt a comprehensive day-schooling model.
Speaking during an interview with Dr. Ofweneke, Wanjigi said the country needs to rethink the traditional boarding system, which he believes has contributed to many of the social and psychological challenges facing young people today.
“We need to debate this boarding school issue and adopt a day schooling model,” Wanjigi said. He added that he has spoken to numerous young Kenyans who described their time in boarding schools as traumatic.
“I have been talking to many young people and interestingly, one common thing they all say is that they went to boarding schools — and to them, they had horrific experiences,” he explained.
Wanjigi also revealed that he never attended boarding school himself, saying his personal experience has shaped his views on the subject.
A Long-Standing Debate
Wanjigi’s call comes against the backdrop of ongoing education reforms that began with the rollout of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) in 2019.
A 2020 government taskforce on CBC implementation recommended scrapping boarding for junior secondary (Grades 7–9) and reserving boarding for a limited number of national or specialised senior institutions.
The proposal forms part of a broader 2-6-3-3-3 model that aims to localise junior secondary schooling ideally placing schools within approximately five kilometres of learners’ homes.
Advocates argue this shift would increase parental involvement, reduce costs for families and support children’s emotional development by keeping them within their communities.
Prominent voices such as former KNUT secretary-general Wilson Sossion have publicly supported scaling back boarding, calling it an outdated system with colonial roots.
A growing call for change
Wanjigi’s latest remarks mark the second time he has used a public platform to address Kenya’s education and youth issues.
In previous interviews, he has consistently highlighted the need to rethink cultural norms that no longer serve the modern generation from youth employment to lifestyle choices.
His appeal adds a powerful voice to an ongoing national conversation that blends emotional, social, and educational concerns. It also underscores a shift in perspective among Kenya’s leaders and thinkers: that academic success should not come at the expense of a child’s wellbeing.
Looking ahead
While the government has not formally announced a nationwide phase-out of boarding schools, Wanjigi’s comments reflect a growing sentiment that reform is inevitable. As he put it, “We must be willing to evolve. The world has changed — so must our schools.”
If Kenya eventually embraces Wanjigi’s call, the shift could redefine childhood education in the country one that keeps families closer, nurtures emotional health, and prepares students for a more balanced future.
by judy mutinda
