NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 31 — The authorities has directed all public universities to revise charges for educational programmes downward, efficient September 1.
Higher Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala issued the directive in a letter addressed to Vice Chancellors and Principals of Constituent Colleges on Wednesday.
Inyangala stated the revision adopted intensive consultations with stakeholders, together with college students and their households.
“In direct response to issues raised by college students and their households, the Government has lowered charges payable by college students throughout all tutorial programmes,” the PS acknowledged within the letter, which was copied to Head of Public Service Felix Koskei and circulated to the media on Thursday.
She added that the rationalization of public college charges aligns with the Student-Centred Funding Model launched by President William Ruto’s administration in May 2023.
“This daring step reaffirms our dedication to making sure inexpensive, accessible, and high quality college training, whereas sustaining the monetary sustainability of our establishments,” Inyangala famous.
Although the State Department didn’t present particulars on the extent of the price discount, it stated the revised schedule will apply to each first-year and persevering with college students.
“All public universities [are] additional directed to replace their admissions and finance portals to mirror the revised charges of educational programmes,” she stated.
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Need-based funding mannequin
Inyangala defined that the establishment will cowl the price of programmes via a mix of tuition charges, authorities scholarships, and loans based mostly on the monetary wants of particular person college students.
Under the Student-Centred Funding Model, college students labeled as weak obtain 70 per cent authorities scholarship, 25 per cent in pupil loans, with dad and mom required to contribute 5 per cent.
Those within the needy class get 60 per cent authorities scholarship, 30 per cent in loans, with 10 per cent coated by dad and mom or guardians.
Students thought of much less needy obtain 50 per cent authorities scholarship, 30 per cent in loans, with dad and mom contributing 20 per cent.
Those labeled as coming from in a position households get 40 per cent authorities scholarship, 30 per cent in loans, with dad and mom anticipated to cowl the remaining 30 per cent .
However, the funding mannequin has confronted criticism from some stakeholders who’ve termed it discriminatory and ineffective.
In July 2025, Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) reported an Sh11.5 billion price range shortfall for the 2024/25 monetary yr, which left 103,214 college students with out loans.
The board disbursed Sh26.1 billion to 322,338 candidates.
