Education CS Ogamba says university fees have not increased despite confusing reports

The Ministry of Education has dismissed claims that university fees have increased, stating that reductions applied across all programmes remain in effect.

Speaking on Tuesday at the Elimu Mashinani event in Narok County, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba attributed perceived increases to delays by some universities in uploading the revised fee structures.

Ogamba explained that last year, the government conducted a thorough analysis of the actual cost of each university programme and subsequently reduced fees across all programs by between 15 and 40 per cent. He said any reports of fee hikes are inaccurate unless a specific case is cited and verified.

“Claims that university fees have increased instead of decreasing are not correct. We reviewed the cost of programmes last year and conducted an analysis to determine the actual cost of each programme. As a result, we reduced fees across all university programmes by between 15 per cent and 40 per cent. There is no way a programme that was previously reduced by 15 or 40 per cent would now be higher, unless there is a specific case that we can verify to see whether the revised fee has been uploaded,” he said.

He added that some universities had not yet uploaded the revised figures, which were finalised on August 15 and began being uploaded the following Monday.

Student admissions

The CS said 39 universities have already opened and that student admissions are progressing steadily.

“As of 7:00 pm, 138,000 students had reported, and by the time I checked again, the number had increased to 144,000,” he said.

He emphasised that the fee reductions and rationalisation have significantly improved affordability and sustainability. Ogamba noted that students’ ability to pay has also increased, with the lowest household contribution among the 39 universities at 85 per cent.

“The report we are getting from the universities is that now, because of what we did in reducing the fees and ensuring that we are now dealing with the individual student’s actual need and capacity to pay fees, the lowest payment level of households in any of these 39 universities that have opened is 85 per cent. More students are now able to pay fees. In fact, in Chuka University, out of 6,800 students who reported, only one parent has not been able to pay the school fees,” he said.

“We have been able to address the question of sustainability, because now we have more students paying. We had high fees but low payment levels and more dropouts. So now we are going to have more students paying, more sustainability for the universities and more retention in the universities.”

Revised fees

Higher Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala said data from first-year students show that 68 per cent are paying within the revised fee ranges.

“With the first years just joining university, 68 per cent are actually paying between 20,000 and 5,814. Data does not lie,” she said.

She highlighted that the government’s approach to competency-based education ensures students graduate with skills that enable them to communicate, collaborate, think critically and creatively, and access employment opportunities both locally and internationally.

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Inyangala also addressed the ongoing lecturers’ strike at Moi University, which has entered its third week over salary arrears, unremitted statutory and third-party deductions, medical cover, pension contributions, and unresolved loans.

Academic Staff Union (UASU) officials have maintained that lecturers will not be intimidated into resuming classes despite threats of dismissal. Duncan Mukhwana, a UASU official, confirmed that union members were receiving threats but assured that no staff would be terminated.

Responding to the strike, Inyangala said over 4,000 students had already reported for orientation and that many lecturers remain committed to teaching.

“I’d like to confirm that more university lecturers are committed to teaching and supporting the students. So far, we have over 4,000 students who have reported, and they are actively undergoing orientation. And I challenge anyone to visit Moi University and see what’s going on over there,” she said.

She added that in the 2022-23 academic year, 23 universities were technically insolvent, but now only 13 remain so, reflecting progress in stabilising university finances and improving student retention.