Fairness in Funding: Kenya's New Approach to University Education

 

Kenya's government has announced a significant reduction in public university fees, effective September 1, 2025, benefiting both first-year and continuing students.

This shift, led by President Ruto, reflects a new funding approach where financial aid is based on individual student needs. 

It replaces the unsustainable flat-rate system and is being praised for making higher education more affordable and accessible nationwide.

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In an additional statement, the government explained that the Student Centred Model uses a means-testing tool to allocate scholarships and loans more fairly. 

Fees for programmes like medicine and engineering are now capped, while humanities and business courses cost significantly less. 

Officials say the reform ensures institutional sustainability while helping thousands of students, signalling a deeper commitment to equity and accountability in Kenya's higher education system.