Parents scramble for second-hand books, uniforms as schools reopen

As the last strands of Christmas decorations came down earlier than usual in many homes, parents across the country shifted their focus to a more pressing reality: the reopening of schools in January.

For thousands of families, festivities were cut short as they rushed to bookshops, school uniform outlets and open-air markets in a frantic scramble to prepare their children for the new academic year.

In major towns, while established bookshops and uniform distributors reported a lower-than-expected turnout, street vendors and sellers of second-hand uniforms were doing brisk business.

Pavements that once hosted Christmas hawkers selling toys and decorations quickly transformed into makeshift stalls piled with used sweaters, faded trousers and assorted textbooks. “This year has been tough,” said Mary Wanjiku, a mother of three from Nairobi’s Eastlands area.

“I would have loved to buy new uniforms and books, but the money is not there. What matters is that my children report to school. Whether the uniform is new or second-hand, the teacher will still teach,” said Wanjiku.

Parents interviewed shared similar sentiments: uniforms and new books, once considered essentials, have become secondary to the broader goal of keeping learners in school. With food prices, rent and transport costs remaining high, many families are forced to make difficult trade-offs.

At Decor Uniform Shop in the city centre, booksellers stood idle for long stretches. “We used to be overwhelmed during this season,” said John Maina, the shop manager. “Parents would line up from morning. This year, traffic is very low. People come, ask for prices, then leave without buying.” Just a few metres away, however, the story was different. A street vendor arranging piles of second-hand uniforms said he could barely keep up with demand.

Mary Anyango, a seller at Uhuru Market, said parents are increasingly opting for second-hand clothes over new outfits. “By midday, most of the good pieces are gone. Parents want affordable items. A sweater that costs Sh2,500 in a shop goes for Sh500 here. They don’t think twice.”

The same trend is evident in the book market along Eastleigh and Ronald Ngala Street, Nairobi. While formal bookshops report reduced sales, informal traders selling cheaper textbooks—often without clear sources—are thriving.

This has raised alarm bells for education authorities, especially the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), which in recent months has warned of a surge in fake textbooks flooding the market. According to KICD, counterfeit books targeting Grades 7 to 10 have become increasingly common since the rollout of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). These books, often poorly printed and riddled with errors, are sold at lower prices, making them attractive to struggling parents.

“KICD does not approve books sold on the streets,” said Prof Charles Ong’ondo, CEO of KICD. “Fake textbooks compromise the quality of education. Learners may study wrong content, which affects their understanding and performance. We urge parents to verify approved titles before purchasing.”

Despite such warnings, many parents admit they feel trapped. “We know the risks, but when an approved book costs Sh1,200 and a street copy costs Sh400, what choice do you have? If I buy the expensive one, my children might sleep hungry,” said Peter Otieno, a casual worker and father of two.

The government has repeatedly pledged to crack down on cartels involved in the printing and distribution of fake books. Joint operations involving KICD, the Ministry of Education and security agencies have led to sporadic seizures.

Education experts say the problem is rooted in deeper economic challenges. “When households are under financial strain, they prioritise survival,” noted education analyst Dr Ruth Kamau. “The informal market steps in to fill the gap, even if it means compromising standards. Addressing counterfeits requires addressing affordability.”

For many parents, the struggle is not just financial but emotional. Cutting short Christmas celebrations, often the only period of relief in a difficult year, has become symbolic of the sacrifices they make for education. “We didn’t travel to see relatives. We used that money for school needs. It hurts, but what can we do?” posed Wanjiku.

Machakos School principal Benson Manoo said institutions are bracing for an influx of learners dressed in mismatched or worn-out uniforms.

“Gone are days when we had same shades of school uniforms. With the introduction of free market for uniforms, this has now turned to incomplete or questionable learning materials,” Manoo said.