Higher Education Funding model Stories

Kenya's public universities 'staring at collapse' without urgent reforms, PS warns
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Jun 21, 2025

Among the most heavily indebted institutions are Kenyatta University, which owes Sh12.38 billion; the University of Nairobi, with Sh12.22 billion; and...

President Ruto vows to go after schools defying fee payment on eCitizen
Lucy Mumbi  |  Jun 19, 2025

President William Ruto urged parents to insist on paying fees digitally, hailing schools that have adopted the platform as champions of accountability...

HELB resumes disbursements to KMTC students after Treasury releases Sh500 million
Lucy Mumbi  |  Jun 18, 2025

According to KMTC Chief Executive Officer, Dr Kelly Oluoch, the HELB portal is now open for applications and urged eligible students to apply before t...

Accountants, doctors, lawyers and engineers biggest defaulters of HELB loans – CEO Geoffrey Monari
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Jun 17, 2025

According to HELB CEO Geoffrey Monari, accountants top the list of non-payment, with only 11 per cent of the active ones repaying their loans. Out of...

Over 400,000 students in limbo as Kenya’s public universities face governance crisis
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Apr 28, 2025

CS Ogamba attributed the situation to political patronage and tribalism, which have been prevalent in the appointment of university vice chancellors a...

HELB receives over 4,600 appeals from university students
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Apr 18, 2025

HELB has processed over 109,000 funding requests from new students that had been delayed due to a High Court ruling in December 2024, which temporaril...

Government to open HELB portal for first and second-year students to appeal for financial aid amid court battle
Lucy Mumbi  |  Mar 30, 2025

Ogamba reiterated that the government would continue implementing the funding model until the Court of Appeal delivers its final ruling on the case.

Court of Appeal overturns ruling suspending Ruto’s university funding model
Joseph Ndunda  |  Mar 26, 2025

The Court of Appeal, however, directed the government agencies to notify the stakeholders of the possibility of changes in the course of the hearings...

Education CS says KUCCPS portal to be opened by end month for new university applications
Lucy Mumbi  |  Mar 20, 2025

KUCCPS CEO Agnes Mercy Wahome said the agency had received details of available capacities from universities and was awaiting board approval to announ...

Audit reveals inefficiencies, management flaws in new university funding model
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Mar 14, 2025

Last December, the High Court declared it unconstitutional, ruling that it was discriminatory and lacked public participation.

Revised education funding model set for September rollout, says CS Ogamba
Lucy Mumbi  |  Mar 06, 2025

The CS said the Presidential taskforce reviewing the 2023 model is finalising its recommendations to ensure equitable financing.

Public universities struggle under Sh72 billion debt as funding crisis deepens
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Mar 01, 2025

Many universities also own commercial properties such as hotels and malls, which remain largely untapped as sources of revenue.

High Court declines to lift orders quashing Ruto’s university funding model
Lucy Mumbi  |  Feb 25, 2025

Justice Mwita strongly criticised the government's move to shift the burden of funding public universities onto parents.

Sh59 billion shortfall casts shadow over university, TVET education
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Feb 18, 2025

Only Sh86.83 billion has been allocated for scholarships, loans, and capitation, against a required Sh145.54 billion.

Varsity students to receive up to Sh60,000 Helb upkeep as state disburses Sh3.32 billion
Lucy Mumbi  |  Feb 04, 2025

The CS confirmed the release and noted that each student will receive between Sh40,000 and Sh60,000.

Return to old funding model, KUPPET urges state amid student complaints
Charles Adinda  |  Jan 16, 2025

KUPPET's remarks come barely a day after The Universities Fund and the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) filed an appeal against Justice Chacha Mwit...

UON students to hold peaceful protests over HELB delays on Friday
Lucy Mumbi  |  Jan 16, 2025

The delay stems from the disruption caused to the 2024/2025 academic calendar by lecturer strikes last year, which led to an extended first semester a...

A reform gone wrong: How Ruto’s university funding model failed students in 2024
Lucy Mumbi  |  Jan 05, 2025

While the government has pledged to refine the system, trust among students, parents, and stakeholders remains low.

Taita Taveta University faces insolvency amid severe financial crisis
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Jan 05, 2025

Taita Taveta University's current liabilities total Sh301.19 million, surpassing its current assets of Sh79.63 million.

State warns of looming crisis in varsities after court nullifies Ruto’s funding model
Lucy Mumbi  |  Dec 22, 2024

However, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba announced that the government plans to modify the new university funding model.

Government to revise controversial university funding model, says CS Ogamba
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Dec 21, 2024

He further explained that an interim report has already been introduced, which will be reviewed before a final report is released.

High Court declares new university funding model unconstitutional
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Dec 20, 2024

The ruling also pointed out the lack of public participation in the development and implementation of the model.

Ruto asks universities to allow students with fee arrears to sit exams
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Dec 06, 2024

The President said universities should not deny any student the opportunity to learn and succeed based on their financial background.

Govt headache as private universities demand Sh47.1 billion payment
Lucy Mumbi  |  Dec 02, 2024

Among the claimants, MKU leads with the highest amount, Sh10.2 billion, followed by Kabarak University at Sh5.8 billion, KCA University at Sh4.6 billi...

MPs reject Bill seeking to end state’s funding for private universities
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Nov 19, 2024

This decision ensures that state support for private universities will continue, contributing to the sector's growth and benefiting the public at larg...

Lecturers' strike continues as state fails to produce proof of Sh4.3 billion funding
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Nov 13, 2024

The Inter-Public Universities Councils' Consultative Forum (IPUCCF) for the second time failed to present evidence of the funding from the government,...

State says free university education unachievable in Kenya for now
Lucy Mumbi  |  Nov 07, 2024

The government says it will require Sh990 billion annually to fund higher education students.

Attorney General defends new university funding model as fair and effective
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Oct 31, 2024

Oduor noted that the model avoids a uniform funding approach that provides equal support to all students.

High Court suspends implementation of university funding model
Joseph Ndunda  |  Oct 03, 2024

The activists say that the presidential directive that instituted the funding model is an illegality, unconstitutional and an attempt to usurp Parliam...

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