The Universities Fund is bracing for a tough academic year that will potentially see increased demand for government scholarships, with more students qualifying for university education.
Based on the recent data on the performance of candidates in the 2025 KCSE examination, the Fund will likely face more financial pressure to fund all the learners, with enrolment rates to universities surging yearly.
The Ministry of Education announced in January this year that 270,715 candidates attained a mean grade of C+ and above, a rise from the 246,391 (25.53 per cent) registered in 2024, earning them direct entry to public universities.
Furthermore, the number of candidates who sat the examination rose to 993,000 compared to 962,512 in 2024. The examination took place between October 21 and November 14, 2025.
The gradual rise in university enrolment indicates that the agency will have to lobby the Exchequer for additional funding as it ramps up resource mobilisation efforts.
Under the Student-Centred Funding Model (SCFM), the government provides scholarships depending on the student’s level of financial need. Students can source for the deficit through HELB loans and household contributions.
The model was launched in 2023 and has won accolades for prioritising equity and fairness and easing the financial strain on universities.
As such, students are required to apply for financial assistance through the Higher Education (HEF) Financing portal, enabling the neediest students to actualise their academic dreams.
Universities Fund acting Chief Executive Officer Dr Edwin Wanyonyi said that in the 2024/2025 financial year, Sh40.5 billion was disbursed to both public and private universities under both the SCFM and the soon-to-be-phased out Differentiated Unit Cost (DUC) model.
Of this, Sh23 billion was directed to public universities under DUC, Sh574 million to private universities under DUC and Sh10 billion to public universities under SCFM.
Additionally, Dr Wanyonyi, in a past media forum, said 577,526 students were funded: 320,003 under DUC and 527,523 under SCFM.
To forestall funding challenges, UF established the Institutional and Online Donations platforms to enhance accuracy, transparency and accountability during funding and mobilise for more support from partners.
