Kenya Association of International Schools
Kenya Association of International Schools (KAIS) is a Nairobi-based non-profit membership association representing over 45 international schools across 9 Kenyan counties and serving 20,000+ students. Founded in 2008, it delivers advocacy, sports (KAISSO), debating, child protection (CPAN), CPD, and collective bargaining services to its member schools.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersNairobi, Kenya
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Kenya Association of International Schools does
The Kenya Association of International Schools (KAIS) is a non-profit membership association incorporated as a company limited by guarantee in Kenya on May 30, 2008. Headquartered on Gitanga Road in Nairobi, KAIS represents over 45 international schools across 9 Kenyan counties (Nairobi, Kiambu, Nakuru, Mombasa, Kisumu, Laikipia, Kajiado, Uasin Gishu, and Machakos), collectively serving more than 20,000 students from Kenya, the African diaspora, Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Americas. The association is governed by an Executive Committee chaired by Wairimu Njage, with Jane Mwangi, OGW, serving as Head of Secretariat, and a secretariat of approximately 12 staff.
KAIS operates as a sales-led membership association, generating revenue primarily through recurring annual membership fees from international schools and affiliate organizations. The association delivers a portfolio of programs including KAISSO (a comprehensive interscholastic sports league), the KAIS Rhino Cup Debating Challenge, CPAN (Child Protection Advocacy Network), Continuous Professional Development (CPD) insets for teachers and staff, Student Enrichment Services (arts, drama, Model UN), and collective bargaining for member schools on services such as security, communications, and air travel.
Beyond member services, KAIS serves as the principal advocacy channel between international schools and the Kenyan government on education policy and legislation — most visibly opposing the 2023 Finance Bill on grounds that it would force widespread layoffs. KAIS maintains strategic partnerships with KEPSA (Kenya Employers Association), the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), Kodris Africa, Microsoft Africa Development Centre, Google Africa, Safaricom, KCB, and Liquid Telcom, supporting initiatives such as the May 2023 Digital Skills Symposium advocating for coding curriculum integration in Kenyan schools. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; prospective members inquire directly for fee information, which is structured by school size and category on an annual billing cadence.
Kenya Association of International Schools firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Kenya Association of International Schools
- Legal name
- Kenya Association of International Schools
- Website
- https://kais.or.ke
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Kenya Association of International Schools (KAIS) is a Nairobi-based non-profit membership association representing over 45 international schools across 9 Kenyan counties and serving 20,000+ students. Founded in 2008, it delivers advocacy, sports (KAISSO), debating, child protection (CPAN), CPD, and collective bargaining services to its member schools.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Kenya Association of International Schools industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Education Association Services
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710), Business Associations (813910)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Policy, Governance & Board Administration (EDAJAHAG)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- K–12 Support & School Improvement Nonprofits (BPAGADAB)
Keywords
Where Kenya Association of International Schools is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Nairobi
- HQ country
- Kenya
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices1 record
Markets served
Kenya Association of International Schools business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Fees: KAIS generates revenue through membership fees paid by international schools. Fees are communicated to organizations showing interest in joining the association. The association also organizes events and activities that may generate supplementary revenue.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Membership fees determined by school size and category |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Kenya Association of International Schools product offering
Product offeringCore offering
KAIS is a membership association representing over 45 international schools in Kenya. It delivers advocacy and lobbying with the government on education policy, Continuous Professional Development (CPD) for teachers and staff, student enrichment activities including the KAISSO Sports League and KAIS Rhino Cup Debating Challenge, and child protection advocacy through CPAN. Revenue is generated from membership fees paid by member schools and affiliate organizations.
Product overview
The Kenya Association of International Schools (KAIS) is a membership association representing over 45 international schools in Kenya, not a single unified product but rather a consortium offering advocacy, professional development, and enrichment programs. The core offerings include the KAISSO Sports League for competitive athletics, the KAIS Rhino Cup Debating Challenge for public speaking development, CPAN for child protection advocacy, Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programs, Student Enrichment Services (Arts, Drama, MUN), and collective bargaining services. These programs collectively support member schools through advocacy linkage with government, best practice promotion, and coordinated issue resolution.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- KAISSO Sports League A competitive interscholastic sports league operated under the Kenya Association of International Schools Sports Association (KAISSO), featuring friendlies, leagues, tournaments, and championships annually for various age groups across Kenya. Targeted at students of member international schools.
- KAIS Rhino Cup Debating Challenge An annual debating competition where KAIS member schools develop students' public speaking ability, foster excellence in debating skills, and promote awareness of local and international issues. Held each September through November.
- CPAN (Child Protection Advocacy Network) A network dedicated to creating awareness and advocating for children's rights, supporting at-risk children, and sharing best practices for child protection through education in Kenya. KAIS members have access to CPAN and its associated Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT).
- Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Professional development opportunities hosted throughout the academic year for various professional cadres including peer-to-peer teacher insets, health practitioners insets, and HR practitioners insets, accessible through the KAIS Community Forum.
- Student Enrichment Services Events and competitions for member schools including Arts and Drama Festivals, Debate Competitions, Model United Nations Conferences, and subject-area events.
- Advocacy Services Advocacy and lobbying services providing a forum for discussion, policy resolution development, and lobbying for outcomes that support the growth of the international school sector in Kenya.
- Membership Services Membership benefits including access to information through various communications vehicles, policy experts, KEPSA membership connections, collective bargaining and purchasing power for better rates on services such as security, communications, and air travel.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 45 international schools represented with unified voice on policy issues
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Kenya Association of International Schools
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Kenya Association of International Schools technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Kenya Association of International Schools partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- Kodris AfricacoreEducation Technologies firm partnered with KAIS to hold digital skills symposiums promoting computing and coding curriculum in Kenyan schools. Kodris Africa is the only organization offering a curriculum approved by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) to teach coding.
- Microsoft Africa Development CentresupportingMicrosoft participated as a technology partner in the digital skills symposium, contributing expertise on coding education and technology skills for the digital economy.
- Google (represented by Jack Ngare)supportingGoogle Africa participated in the digital skills symposium, emphasizing the importance of introducing coding at elementary level for Kenya and Africa to stay competitive with developed nations.
- SafaricomsupportingTelecommunications company participated in the digital skills symposium bringing together education and ICT sector stakeholders.
- Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB)supportingFinancial institution co-convened the digital skills symposium with KAIS and Kodris Africa.
- Liquid TelcomsupportingTechnology company participated in the digital skills symposium focusing on digital skills integration in education.
- Rusinga SchoolcoreCo-hosted the digital skills symposium with KAIS and Kodris Africa to sensitize stakeholders on teaching computing skills in primary and secondary schools.
- Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD)coreKICD is the body mandated to provide curricula and curriculum support materials. The Assistant Director of e-Learning, Charles Munene, participated in the symposium supporting curriculum alignment for digital skills.
- Child Protection Advocacy Network (CPAN)coreCPAN aims to create awareness, advocate for the rights for all children, support at-risk children and share best practices for Child Protection through education in Kenya. KAIS members have access to this network and associated Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT).
- Kenya Employers Association (KEPSA)supportingKAIS maintains membership with KEPSA providing members access to policy experts, local and international legislation information, and business initiatives.
- KAISSO (Kenya Association of International Schools Sports Association)coreKAISSO organizes comprehensive interscholastic activities including sports leagues, tournaments, and championships for various age groups, promoting teamwork and cultural understanding.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Kenya Association of International Schools competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- European Council of International Schools (ECIS): Membership association for international schools primarily in Europe, offering professional development, student events, and advocacy. Directly comparable to KAIS in mission and operating model, with a regional rather than single-country scope.
- Council of International Schools (CIS): Global membership and accreditation body for international schools. CIS is the most direct comparable peer to KAIS, as both serve international schools through membership services, professional development, and advocacy; CIS operates globally while KAIS focuses on Kenya.
- Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa (ISASA): Membership association representing independent schools across Southern Africa. Closest Africa-based comparable peer to KAIS in structure, advocacy role, and service offerings to member schools.
- Kenya Private Schools Association: Domestic Kenyan umbrella body representing private school owners. Directly comparable to KAIS as a domestic membership association operating in the same country and overlapping member base, though focused more broadly on private schools rather than exclusively international schools.
Regional players
- British Schools in the Middle East (BSME): Membership association of British international schools across the Middle East. Comparable to KAIS in delivering CPD, student competitions, and advocacy for member schools, but focused on a different region.
- Association of American Schools in South America (AASSA): Membership association of American/international schools across South America. Functionally similar to KAIS — convenes international schools, runs student events and professional development — though geographically distinct.
- East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS): Regional membership organization supporting international schools across East Asia. Comparable in mission and service mix (professional development, student activities, advocacy), with a different geographic focus.
Broad incumbents
- National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS): Large US-based membership association for private/independent schools. Operates at significantly larger scale than KAIS but shares the same core model: advocacy, professional development, and convening of independent school members.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Kenya Association of International Schools social profiles
Digital presenceKenya Association of International Schools financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Kenya Association of International Schools leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Kenya Association of International Schools funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Kenya Association of International Schools M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Kenya Association of International Schools
What does Kenya Association of International Schools do?
KAIS is a membership association representing over 45 international schools in Kenya. It delivers advocacy and lobbying with the government on education policy, Continuous Professional Development (CPD) for teachers and staff, student enrichment activities including the KAISSO Sports League and KAIS Rhino Cup Debating Challenge, and child protection advocacy through CPAN. Revenue is generated from membership fees paid by member schools and affiliate organizations.
Is Kenya Association of International Schools a public or private company?
Kenya Association of International Schools is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Kenya Association of International Schools founded?
Kenya Association of International Schools was founded in 2008. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Kenya Association of International Schools based?
Kenya Association of International Schools is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, in the Africa region.
How does Kenya Association of International Schools make money?
One revenue line is on record: membership Fees.
Who are Kenya Association of International Schools's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are European Council of International Schools (ECIS), Council of International Schools (CIS), Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa (ISASA) and Kenya Private Schools Association. Regional players are British Schools in the Middle East (BSME), Association of American Schools in South America (AASSA) and East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS). National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Kenya Association of International Schools have an API?
No public API is recorded for Kenya Association of International Schools.
What industry is Kenya Association of International Schools in?
Kenya Association of International Schools's product category is Education Association Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJAHAG, Policy, Governance & Board Administration, with a secondary code of BPAGADAB, K–12 Support & School Improvement Nonprofits. Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 8600.