University Students Stranded as Funding Model Transition Triggers Education Crisis

NAIROBI, KENYA — A growing funding crisis is affecting students in Kenya’s public universities, with hundreds of learners yet to report to campus while first-year and continuing students struggle to access loans and scholarships.

The uncertainty has been linked to the government’s decision to suspend the existing university funding model as it awaits the passage of the proposed Tertiary Education Placement and Funding Bill, which is currently before Parliament.

As the new academic year gets underway, students from financially vulnerable households are among those bearing the greatest impact, with some unable to raise the money required to report to university amid uncertainty over whether government funding will cover their education costs.

Students Struggle to Report to University

In Nyamira County, Davin Kemunto, who secured admission to Kisii University, is among students affected by the uncertainty.

Kemunto applied for a Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) loan but says she has yet to receive financial assistance.

She said her parents could not raise the Ksh.20,000 required for her to report to university and that she remains uncertain about whether the government’s proposed funding arrangements will enable her to pursue her studies.

Kemunto had planned to study secondary-school teaching.

First-Year Students Face Financial Pressure

At Machakos University, first-year students who reported about a week ago are also facing financial difficulties as they wait for clarity on government support.

Some students say they are struggling to meet basic needs while awaiting information on how their university education and related expenses will be financed.

The uncertainty is also being experienced at Kisii University, where continuing students have raised concerns over delayed disbursements.

Students say the lack of clarity over the applicable funding model and fee structure has made it difficult to plan their studies and manage their finances.

One Kisii University student, Griffins Ouma, said accessing information about the fee structure through the student portal had proved difficult.

Another student, Davis Orina, said students were uncertain about the amount they were expected to pay and whether government funding was still available under the current transition.

Government Says Universities Should Support Vulnerable Students

Speaking during a meeting with university chancellors on Monday, Higher Education Principal Secretary Dr Beatrice Inyangala said parents should take responsibility for students’ upkeep and accommodation costs as the government works on the new funding framework.

Inyangala said government disbursements to university students would resume once the proposed Tertiary Education Placement and Funding Bill is passed.

She also said universities had been encouraged to assist students facing financial difficulties through existing support programmes.

According to the PS, many universities operate assistance funds for needy students and have been encouraged to use these mechanisms to support vulnerable learners during the transition.

Funding Bill Still Before Parliament

Despite the government's assurances, the proposed Tertiary Education Placement and Funding Bill is still progressing through Parliament.

The legislation has completed its First Reading and is currently undergoing consideration at the committee stage.

This means students and universities remain in a transitional period as they await the proposed legal framework that is expected to guide tertiary education placement and funding.

The uncertainty has consequently raised concerns over how students will meet tuition, accommodation and other education-related costs while awaiting government disbursements.

Vulnerable Students Bear the Brunt

For students from low-income households, the funding uncertainty could have significant consequences.

Those unable to raise the money needed to report to university risk delaying the start of their studies, while students already on campus face challenges meeting daily expenses.

Universities are meanwhile being called upon to bridge the gap through internal assistance programmes as the government works towards establishing the new funding framework.

With the academic year already underway, students and university administrators are now waiting for Parliament to complete consideration of the proposed legislation and for the government to provide clarity on how loans, scholarships and other forms of financial support will be administered.

Until then, many learners remain caught between university admission requirements and uncertainty over the government funding intended to help them pursue higher education.