Universities await government fee guidelines for new funding model

Universities in Kenya are facing uncertainty as they await government guidelines regarding a new funding model for the 2026/2027 academic year. Under the proposed Tertiary Education, Placement and Funding Bill, 2026, the state intends to cover tuition and upkeep for admitted students, potentially transitioning from national budget funding to a market-based financing model.

At Machakos University, over 3,000 first-year students have begun registration despite the lack of official direction on fee structures. Vice-Chancellor Joyce Agalo stated that the institution is admitting students while waiting for communication on fees, currently only collecting payments for items such as hostels.

Students and parents have expressed concerns regarding potential difficulties once classes commence, alongside existing challenges such as disbursement delays from the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB). The proposed legislation seeks to merge HELB, the Universities Fund, and the TVET Fund into a single Tertiary Education Funding Authority.