The Ministry of Education has officially announced a significant reduction in university fees across all Kenyan public universities, a move aimed at enhancing the accessibility, affordability, and quality of higher education in the country.
In a memo dated July 30 and addressed to Vice Chancellors and Principals of constituent colleges, Higher Education Principal Secretary Dr. Beatrice Inyangala said the decision followed extensive consultations with students, parents, education stakeholders, and members of the public.
“In direct response to concerns raised by students and their families, the Government has lowered fees payable by students across all academic programmes,” read the memo.
The reduced fee structure, which will take effect on September 1, 2025, will apply to both newly admitted first-year students and those already enrolled in various academic programmes.
Dr. Inyangala emphasized that the move is part of the government’s broader initiative to reform the higher education sector, ensuring that university education remains accessible without compromising quality. She added that the rationalization of fees also supports the financial sustainability of universities while easing the financial burden on households.
“All public universities are further directed to update their admissions and finance portals to reflect the revised fees of academic programmes,” the memo instructed.
The Ministry clarified that students will continue to finance their education through a mixed model comprising tuition payments, government scholarships, and Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) loans, based on individual financial needs and backgrounds.
The fee reduction is expected to bring relief to thousands of families grappling with the high cost of university education and aligns with the government’s promise to make education a pillar of national development.
Vice Chancellors have been tasked with ensuring swift implementation of the new structure, and the Ministry is expected to release detailed guidelines on how institutions will operationalize the new funding framework in the coming weeks.
Written By Rodney Mbua
