Back to School Shopping List Kenya 2026-2027: Everything Your Child Needs

Every January, millions of Kenyan families rush to stationery shops to stock up for the new school year. With three different curriculum levels now running simultaneously CBC Primary, CBC Junior Secondary, and the final 8-4-4 Senior Secondary cohort shopping for school supplies in 2026 can feel overwhelming.

This comprehensive guide breaks down exactly what your child needs, organised by school level, so you can shop smart, avoid last-minute stress, and make sure nothing important is left out.

2026 Kenya School Term Dates

Before you shop, know when schools open. According to the Ministry of Education’s official 2026 academic calendar:

Term	Dates 2026	Duration
Term 1	5 Jan – 2 Apr 2026	13 weeks
Half-term break	25 Feb – 1 Mar 2026	5 days
Term 2	27 Apr – Jul 2026	~13 weeks
Term 3	~Aug – Oct 2026	~11 weeks

Schools opened on 5 January 2026 for most learners, with the pioneer Grade 10 (Senior Secondary) cohort reporting on 12 January 2026. Term 2 begins 27 April 2026 — a great time to restock supplies mid-year.

Kenya’s School Levels in 2026 (CBC Structure)

Under the 2-6-3-3 CBC framework, Kenya now has the following levels:

• Pre-Primary (PP1 & PP2): Ages 4–5, Early Years Education
• Primary School (Grade 1–6): Ages 6–11, CBC curriculum
• Junior Secondary (Grade 7–9): Ages 12–14, CBC curriculum — hosted in primary schools
• Senior Secondary (Grade 10–12): Ages 15–17, first CBC cohort entered Grade 10 in January 2026

Each level has different supply requirements. Find yours below.

Pre-Primary Shopping List (PP1 & PP2)

Pre-primary learners need simple, creative supplies focused on play-based learning. Schools often provide a specific list, but these are the most commonly required items:

Writing & Drawing

• Fat/jumbo pencils (easier grip for small hands)
• Jumbo wax crayons — 12 colours
• Jumbo colour pencils — 12 colours
• Exercise books (ruled and unruled) — as per school list
• Drawing book

Art & Craft

• Soft luminous paper (assorted colours)
• Manila paper (yellow and assorted)
• Glue stick (Pritt or Bostik)
• Safety scissors (blunt-tipped)
• Tempera or ready-mix poster paint — assorted colours
• Paint brushes (sizes 6 and 10)
• Modelling clay (e.g. Somo ceramic clay)
• Portfolio display book (for storing artwork)

School Bag Essentials

• School bag (comfortable, not too heavy)
• Water bottle
• Lunch box
• PE kit (as per school uniform requirements)

Bienville Supplies has a ready-made Pre-Primary CBC School Kit (PP1 & PP2) at KSh 1,850 — bundled from school-approved lists to save you time.

Lower Primary Shopping List (Grade 1 – 3)

Grade 1 to 3 learners are building foundational literacy and numeracy skills. Their supply needs are slightly more extensive than pre-primary.

Writing & Stationery

• HB pencils — pack of 10
• Coloured pencils — 12 or 24 colours
• Wax crayons — 16 colours
• Pencil sharpener and eraser
• Ruler (30cm)
• Exercise books — 40 pages (as per subject requirements)
• Homework/assessment book
• Clear adhesive book covers (for textbooks)

Art & Craft

• Soft luminous paper (A4, assorted)
• Hard luminous paper (A2, assorted)
• Manila paper (yellow and white)
• Glue stick
• Craft scissors
• Poster paint — 6 colours
• Paint brushes
• Portfolio/display book

Other

• Masking tape
• Stapler and staples
• Whiteboard markers (if required by school)

Our Lower Primary CBC Kit (Grade 1–3) is available at KSh 3,076 — everything on this list, bundled in one package.

Upper Primary Shopping List (Grade 4 – 6)

Upper primary learners take on more complex subjects and projects. CBC emphasises hands-on, creative work so art and craft supplies remain important even at this level.

Writing & Stationery

• HB pencils — pack of 10
• Ballpoint pens — blue and red
• Coloured pencils — 24 colours
• Ruler (30cm) and set square
• Pencil sharpener and eraser
• Exercise books — 96 pages (per subject)
• Grid/squared exercise book (for mathematics)
• Assessment/homework books
• Clear adhesive covers and brown covers
• Glue stick

Art & Craft (Creative Arts is a core CBC subject)

• Hard luminous paper — A2 and A1 sheets
• Soft luminous paper — A4 assorted
• Colour pencils and wax crayons
• Watercolour paint set
• Paint brushes — assorted sizes
• Descant recorder (Grade 4 onwards — see our guide)
• Scissors
• Modelling clay
• Portfolio display book

Other

• Geometry set (protractor, set square, compass)
• Scientific calculator (Grade 5–6 depending on school)
• Soft board pins (for projects)

Our Upper Primary CBC Kit (Grade 4–6) is available at KSh 5,895 — saves you the effort of sourcing each item individually.

Junior Secondary Shopping List (Grade 7 – 9)

Junior Secondary learners are now in a secondary-school environment but still follow the CBC curriculum. They take subjects like Integrated Science, Pre-Technical Studies, Agriculture, and Creative Arts — all of which require specific supplies.

Core Stationery

• Ballpoint pens — blue, red, and black (pack)
• HB and 2B pencils
• Ruler (30cm), set squares (45° and 60°), protractor
• Compass and drawing instruments
• Scientific calculator (Casio fx-991ES Plus recommended)
• Exercise books — 200 pages (per subject)
• A4 exercise books and graph books
• Highlighters — assorted
• Clear adhesive covers and spring files

Creative Arts & Design

• Hard and soft luminous paper
• Drawing book (A3 or A4)
• Faber-Castell or Staedtler colour pencils — 24 colours
• Oil pastels — 12 or 24 colours
• Acrylic or poster paints
• Paint brushes — assorted
• Descant recorder
• Portfolio display book — 40 pockets

Pre-Technical Studies & Agriculture

• Technical drawing set (T-square, drawing board if required)
• Tracing paper (A4)
• Graph paper
• Blending stumps (for shading)
• Indian ink (black)

Our Junior Secondary CBE Kit (Grade 7–9) is available at KSh 5,662 — curated to match the CBC subject requirements for this level.

Senior Secondary Shopping List (Grade 10 – 12)

2026 marks a historic milestone — the first cohort of Grade 10 learners under the CBC Senior Secondary system joined school in January. These learners have selected pathways (STEM, Arts & Sports Sciences, or Social Sciences) so their exact supply list will vary by chosen subjects. However, these items are universally needed:

Universal Essentials

• Ballpoint pens and pencils (bulk pack — you’ll use many)
• Highlighters — 4 colours
• Scientific calculator — Casio fx-991ES Plus 2nd Edition
• Exercise books — 200 pages (one per subject)
• Hardcover notebooks (for subjects with heavy note-taking)
• A4 graph books
• Ruler, set squares, protractor, compass
• Spring files and document wallets (per subject)
• Clear adhesive covers
• Glue stick, scissors, tape
• USB flash drive (for digital assignments)

STEM Pathway (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics)

• Lab coat (white)
• Safety goggles
• Drawing instruments and technical drawing set
• Log tables or scientific calculator
• Graph paper pads

Arts & Creative Pathway

• Acrylic paint set
• Canvas boards or watercolour paper
• Professional drawing pencils (2H, HB, 2B, 4B)
• Blending stumps and kneaded eraser
• Portfolio display book — 60 pockets
• Indian ink and technical pens

Money-Saving Tips for Back to School Shopping in Kenya

School supplies can add up quickly. Here are practical ways to keep costs down without compromising quality:

1. Buy in bulk: Items like pencils, pens, exercise books, and crayons are significantly cheaper when bought in packs or dozens rather than individually.
2. Use a school kit: Pre-bundled CBC school kits (like those from Bienville Supplies) save time and are often cheaper than sourcing every item separately and everything is guaranteed to match the school’s requirements.
3. Shop before schools reopen: Prices at physical shops spike sharply in the first week of January. Shopping in late December or ordering online in advance avoids the rush and often gets you better prices.
4. Keep last term’s list: Many CBC supply requirements stay the same from term to term. Check what’s left over before buying new stock.
5. Order online with delivery: Online stationery shops like Bienville Supplies offer delivery across Kenya saving you transport costs, time, and the chaos of peak-period shopping.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do schools reopen in Kenya in 2026?

Most schools (pre-primary, primary, junior, and secondary) reopened on 5 January 2026 for Term 1. The pioneer Grade 10 Senior Secondary cohort reported on 12 January 2026. Term 2 begins 27 April 2026.

Where can I buy CBC school supplies in Kenya?

You can find CBC school supplies at stationery shops across Nairobi and major towns. For convenience and guaranteed availability, Bienville Supplies offers online ordering with delivery anywhere in Kenya including pre-bundled CBC school kits for every grade level.

Does my Grade 4 child need a descant recorder?

Yes, the descant recorder is part of the CBC Music and Creative Arts curriculum from Grade 4 onwards. Make sure you buy the correct type (descant/soprano recorder in the key of C). The Yamaha YRS-24B is the most recommended brand for Kenyan schools.

What is the difference between hard and soft luminous paper?

Hard luminous paper is thick (cardstock weight) and best for 3D projects, displays, and charts. Soft luminous paper is thinner and flexible better for folding, cutting, and collage work. Both types are used in CBC schools. Check your child’s school list to confirm which type is required.

Are CBC school kits worth it?

Yes, for most parents, buying a pre-bundled CBC school kit is more convenient and cost-effective than sourcing every item separately. Bienville Supplies kits are carefully bundled from school-approved lists, so you know everything inside meets the curriculum requirements.

Shop All CBC School Supplies at Bienville Supplies

We stock everything on this list from pencils and exercise books to luminous paper, descant recorders, CBC textbooks, art supplies, and pre-bundled school kits for every grade level. All items are available online with delivery across Kenya.

Browse our full range: www.bienvillesupplies.co.ke/shop

Order CBC School Kits: www.bienvillesupplies.co.ke/order-for-school-kit

Call us: +254 111 292 000  |  Email: info@bienvillesupplies.co.ke