Is it school wear or Stefano Ricci? Ruto questions soaring cost of uniforms

President William Ruto has raised concern over the rising cost of school uniforms, questioning why some institutions were turning basic school wear into luxury fashion items beyond the reach of ordinary parents.

Speaking on Thursday during the National Education Conference in Naivasha, Nakuru County, Ruto said the government and stakeholders must have an honest conversation about the pricing of uniforms and how schools procure them, amid growing complaints from parents over the financial burden associated with education.

“There is a big debate about uniforms and how much they cost. You know, we have all manner of suppliers working with schools,” the President said.

“Still you find some uniforms, I don’t know if they are Stefano Ricci or what because they are very expensive.”

The Head of State said there was need for a structured discussion on how uniforms are sourced and supplied to schools to ensure costs remain affordable for families already struggling with the high cost of living.

“We need to agree on uniforms, how they are going to be procured and how we ensure they are cost-effective,” he said.

Ruto also weighed in on the wider debate over whether uniforms should remain mandatory in schools, noting that some stakeholders had proposed scrapping them altogether.

“There are those who are saying we should not have uniforms. I don’t know what their ideas are,” he said.

“If granted that you do not have to be dressed in a certain way to learn, but I think it is a debate we must have. Certainly, we need to discuss the cost of uniforms.”

The remarks come at a time when many parents across the country have continued to complain about the high cost of school requirements, particularly uniforms purchased through designated suppliers linked to schools.

In some institutions, parents are required to buy specific branded uniforms, sweaters, tracksuits and sportswear from approved outlets, with critics arguing the practice has turned uniforms into a commercial enterprise that locks out low-income households.

Consumer rights groups and education stakeholders have previously called on the government to regulate school uniform procurement, saying some schools exploit parents through exclusive supply arrangements that inflate prices.

The issue has also repeatedly featured in public debates around access to education, especially at the beginning of school terms when parents struggle to meet back-to-school expenses.

Ruto’s comments signal possible renewed scrutiny on school uniform policies as the government continues implementing reforms in the education sector under the Competency-Based Curriculum.

The President has in recent months pushed for reforms aimed at reducing the cost of education and increasing access to learning opportunities, particularly for vulnerable households.

His latest remarks are likely to reignite discussion among policymakers, parents and school administrators on whether uniforms should remain compulsory and how their pricing can be regulated to protect families from exploitation.