State Moves to Bridge Varsity Funding Gap
The government explained that school fees will be financed using a mix of tuition charges, scholarships, and student loans depending on the economic ability
Education CS Julius Ogamba and Principal Secretary, Higher Education, Beatrice Inyangala announced the reduction in fees during meetings with Vice Chancellors and Principals of Constituent Colleges. Photo/ Courtesy
By Juliet Jerotich
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi plans to meet high-level with Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba to talk about university and college capitation deficits. The meeting will also feature their respective Principal Secretaries.
Addressing Monday, August 11, 2025, during the Public-Private Partnership Forum, Mbadi admitted that the government must disburse more money to fund the minimum required by the capitation policy.
“I have invited the CS Education and his PSs, as well as my PSs, to sit and negotiate the existing funding deficit in capitation and arrive at solutions,” Mbadi stated.
The announcement comes a week after the government rolled out a drastic reduction of university fees for all courses offered in public universities. The changes are to take effect on September 1, 2025, and will be applicable to first-years as well as continuation students.
Education CS Julius Ogamba and Principal Secretary, Higher Education, Beatrice Inyangala announced the reduction in fees during meetings with Vice Chancellors and Principals of Constituent Colleges.
The fee reduction follows months of public consultation, students, and higher education stakeholders. The action is a key milestone under the new Student-Centred Funding Model. The model seeks to increase access and affordability of higher education without compromising financial stability in institutions.
This bold step reaffirms our dedication to making university education affordable, accessible, and of quality,” PS Inyangala penned in a letter to the universities’ leaders.
She added the reforms were a response to concerns raised by parents and students about the increase of the cost of higher education. Public universities must now revisit their admission and finance platforms to include the new fee structure.
The government explained that school fees will be financed using a mix of tuition charges, scholarships, and student loans depending on the economic ability of each student.
CS Ogamba urged the universities to implement the reforms well and fairly. “We look to your complete cooperation to carry out these financing reforms efficiently, fairly, and in the interests of Kenyan students and families,” he said.
The upcoming meeting between Mbadi and Ogamba is expected to bear interventions that will bridge financing gaps and promote effective execution of the new funding mechanism.
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