As millions of students troop back to school beginning Monday for the first term, parents have raised concerns over the high cost of textbooks and other stationery.
A spot check by this writer on Saturday afternoon to Kisumu city revealed that prices of the second hand textbooks are fairly cheap compared to those in book shops.
A copy of a form four revision textbook from the streets is currently going for Sh400 while the same type from the bookshops goes for Sh900.
Ken Owiti, a vendor, told this writer that the books he sells will save a parent close to Sh300 if the same type of textbook is to be purchased from a bookshop.
He, however, hinted that he might also be forced to increase the prices as the demand is rising steadily.
John Oduor, a parent who had come to buy textbooks from Owiti said the used books are affordable.
He said he needed to minimise his expenditure as the proposed increase in school fees will also see him produce more coins from his pocket.
The parents have appealed to the Ministry of Education to ensure the prices are abridged.
They also want the government to rein in head teachers over arbitrary increase of school fees.
They have compared the increased taxation to exploitation of poor citizens.