The Universities Fund (UF) has inducted new board members, bringing fresh ideas to guide the advancement of quality, equitable and affordable university education for all eligible Kenyan students.
The new team will also streamline and strengthen implementation of the new universal funding framework announced by President William Ruto in July this year.
Prof Karuti Kanyinga will continue to serve as chairman of the Board for another three-year term following his reappointment by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba in a Gazette Notice dated 22 May 2026.
Prof Kanyinga will work alongside Reagan Kaberia, Conrad Keya, Fakira Kassim Sheikh, Esther Sagini, Isaiah Kirukmet, Benjamin Kapsir, Linah K. Mwau, Jacqueline Jacoyange and Dr Edwin Wanyonyi, the Ag. Chief Executive Officer.
The Board commenced its functions following an induction programme on 3 July 2026 that equipped the new members with insight into UF’s mandate, governance structures, operational framework and strategic priorities.
The team was oriented to UF’s role in advancing equitable access to higher education through administration of government scholarships. The discussions also focused on financial oversight, risk management and the implementation of the Fund’s strategic objectives.
The team takes over the reins at a critical time when the government is scaling up access to higher education and university financing.
Through the proposed Tertiary Education Placement and Funding Bill, 2024, President William Ruto seeks to replace the Variable Scholarship and Loan Funding Model introduced in 2023 with a universal funding model, under which every eligible student enrolled in a public tertiary institution would receive full government funding.
Specifically, the proposal would benefit learners placed by KUCCPS to public universities, TVET institutions under the Ministry of Education, and Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC).
Parliament is yet to review the amendment; nonetheless, the President intends to have the new scheme in effect during the September 2026 university intake.
The proposal establishes a sustainable financing framework through a full Government loan programme for eligible students, resource mobilisation, tertiary education savings schemes and enhanced loan recovery.
