The government has announced plans to revise the university fee structure as part of its ongoing efforts to ensure that students in higher education institutions can pursue their studies without financial disruptions.
According to officials, the proposed adjustments aim to strike a balance between affordability for students and financial sustainability for universities—ensuring continued access to higher education while supporting the operational needs of institutions.
Speaking during a meeting between the Senate Education Committee and the Ministry of Education, former Universities Fund CEO Geoffrey Monari (now HELB CEO) emphasized that the proposed fee structure is designed to achieve both affordability and institutional viability.
Last year, the Principal Secretary for Higher Education, Dr. Beatrice Inyangala, announced the cancellation of a planned fee increase for first-year students placed in universities through the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS).
“The Ministry of Education wishes to inform the public—especially parents, guardians, and students—that the previously communicated full cost of degree programmes, as stated in admission letters, is hereby nullified and no longer applies,” she stated at the time.
This decision led to the development of a revised university fee structure aligned with the government’s new funding approach.
Speaking at the recent meeting, Dr. Inyangala affirmed the government’s commitment to a funding model that integrates government scholarships, student loans, and private sector partnerships.
“The new funding model has significantly lowered barriers to access, and we’re already seeing a rise in student applications,” she noted, adding that while challenges remain, several elements of the model are already in effect.
In just two years since the implementation of the New Higher Education Funding Model, more than 240,000 students have benefited from government scholarships—significantly easing the financial burden on households across the country.
