Thousands of students joining universities, colleges and TVET institutions in Kenya are facing uncertainty over tuition, accommodation and upkeep despite a government promise to provide full financial support. The Elimu Bora Working Group has raised concerns over the lack of clarity on how President William Ruto's July 21 commitment on full government funding will be implemented. Students have reported to institutions without clear information on what they are expected to pay.
The Elimu Bora Working Group wants the Government to immediately clarify its position on the funding promise, citing an expectation among students and parents that financial barriers would no longer prevent eligible learners from joining tertiary institutions. Boaz Waruku, policy and strategy advisor at Elimu Bora working group, said students are now being confronted with uncertainty and are being directed back to existing application and funding processes.
The situation has exposed gaps between policy announcements and the mechanisms required to implement them, with some students facing difficulties registering, securing accommodation and meeting other costs after reporting to their institutions. Waruku confirmed that the announcement had created an expectation among students and parents, but the existing allocations and the President's commitment have not been sufficiently reconciled for students joining institutions in the September intake.
The 2026/27 budget provides substantial resources for higher education, including KSh56.7 billion allocated to the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB). Parliament has also approved Sh30.9 billion for university scholarships and Sh9.2 billion for TVET student scholarships. However, the Elimu Bora Working Group argues that the Government must explain how the new promise of full funding relates to the existing student-centred financing model.
The group warned against an education financing system that relies heavily on loans, arguing that poor students could be pushed into debt to meet the cost of higher education. Waruku said a system that primarily makes loans available to students cannot automatically be described as full government funding. The organisation wants the proposed Tertiary Education, Placement and Funding Bill, 2026, to establish clear distinctions between grants, scholarships, bursaries and loans.
The Elimu Bora Working Group is also calling for protection against students being denied registration or commencement of studies because funding has not been disbursed. The group said government agencies should release approved funds within clearly defined timelines, preferably before students report to their institutions. It further wants students already enrolled in tertiary institutions to have continuity of funding until completion of their programmes.
The call comes amid broader parliamentary discussions on higher education financing, with Parliament previously considering concerns over gaps in the existing funding model. David Karani, a member of the group, said they want the Ministry of Education and tertiary institutions to issue one clear message to students in the September 2026 intake. The group is also demanding that the proposed funding authority have a clear mandate to administer grants, scholarships, bursaries and loans.
Key points
- The Elimu Bora Working Group wants the Government to clarify how President William Ruto's commitment on full government funding will be implemented.
- The group warned against an education financing system that relies heavily on loans.
- The proposed Tertiary Education, Placement and Funding Bill, 2026, should establish clear distinctions between grants, scholarships, bursaries and loans.
