Kenya to host its first ever ‘Back to school’ expo

By Monica Muema

Kenya will host its first ever back to school exposition (Expo) in what promises to offer parents and learners with opportunities to acquire school materials at discounted prices.

The ‘back to school’ expo by Mwananchi School Expo Kenya – the forum’s host, will initially kick off every school going term, two weeks before schools reopen in what its organizers say will offer a stop-shop for all school going suppliers.

“The idea is to have a countrywide engagement and in the next 6 months, our vision is to have a back to school expo at all the 47 counties edition. And in the next year, our target will be to roll it out in every major town across the country when schools reopen,” said Aurelia Mwikali, the chief executive of Mwananchi School Expo Kenya.

Adding that the expo will partner with suppliers to provide school materials including textbooks and school uniforms from such as Textbook Centres and school uniform dealers across the country with the help of representatives from the ministry of education.

For many parents and learners alike, the stress of returning to classes brings an unwelcome return to headaches with the idea of back-to-school shopping also offering a steep price tag.

Already reeling under a harsh economy, many parents are still struggling to raise school fees.

“We are living in hard economic times with restricted personal interactions amid the pandemic. We shall be rolling out a digital platform for online interactions and shopping to help address some of the challenges and pressures of accessing such materials by parents,” said Ms. Mwikali while making the announcement.