President William Ruto has announced plans to fully fund higher education for every student admitted to a university or college, signalling a major shift in Kenya's approach to financing tertiary education.Speaking at State House in Nairobi on Tuesday, the President said all students who pass their national examinations and secure placement in a university or college would qualify for full government funding, regardless of their financial circumstances."Going forward, any student, so long as they have passed their examinations and they have been placed in a college or university, will get full funding for their higher education. It will be the choice for parents if they want to pay," Ruto said.If implemented, the proposal would replace the current Variable Scholarship and Loan Funding Model, under which students receive different levels of financial support based on assessments of household need.The President said the new arrangement is expected to take effect from the September 2026 intake, subject to Parliament approving amendments to the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Act.Ruto urged lawmakers to fast-track the legislation, arguing that financial barriers should not prevent qualified students from pursuing the courses they have earned admission to."I want to implore Parliament to expedite amendments to the Higher Education Loans Board so that beginning September we can make sure that any child who qualifies for medicine does not fail to study medicine because their parents cannot afford to pay the household contribution," he said.The proposal marks a significant departure from the existing funding model, which was introduced to target government support towards students considered most financially vulnerable. That model has faced criticism from students, parents and some education stakeholders, with concerns raised over funding delays, classification disputes and affordability.Under the new proposal, the government would meet the cost of higher education for all eligible students admitted to public universities and colleges. Parents would only make contributions voluntarily if they wished to do so.The President said education remains one of the country's most important investments and should be accessible to every qualified learner."Countries that are ahead of us had high-quality education. Education was a central pillar. My team tells me that education makes us equal and has no equal. That is where we are taking this," he said.Ruto also pointed to cases where students admitted to highly competitive programmes have struggled to enrol because their families could not afford the required household contribution under the current system.However, the President indicated that the proposal will still undergo further review before it is fully implemented."As government, we shall now study this proposal carefully. We shall engage with its recommendations, consult widely and once that process is done, I will communicate the way forward as we shape Kenya's next long-term vision," he said.The announcement comes as Kenya continues to debate the sustainability and fairness of higher education financing. Whether the new policy takes effect as planned will depend on Parliament's approval of the proposed legal changes and the government's ability to finance the expanded programme.
President William Ruto has announced plans to fully fund higher education for every student admitted to a university or college, signalling a major shift in Kenya's approach to financing tertiary education.
Speaking at State House in Nairobi on Tuesday, the President said all students who pass their national examinations and secure placement in a university or college would qualify for full government funding, regardless of their financial circumstances.
"Going forward, any student, so long as they have passed their examinations and they have been placed in a college or university, will get full funding for their higher education. It will be the choice for parents if they want to pay," Ruto said.
If implemented, the proposal would replace the current Variable Scholarship and Loan Funding Model, under which students receive different levels of financial support based on assessments of household need.
The President said the new arrangement is expected to take effect from the September 2026 intake, subject to Parliament approving amendments to the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Act.
Ruto urged lawmakers to fast-track the legislation, arguing that financial barriers should not prevent qualified students from pursuing the courses they have earned admission to.
"I want to implore Parliament to expedite amendments to the Higher Education Loans Board so that beginning September we can make sure that any child who qualifies for medicine does not fail to study medicine because their parents cannot afford to pay the household contribution," he said.
The proposal marks a significant departure from the existing funding model, which was introduced to target government support towards students considered most financially vulnerable. That model has faced criticism from students, parents and some education stakeholders, with concerns raised over funding delays, classification disputes and affordability.
Under the new proposal, the government would meet the cost of higher education for all eligible students admitted to public universities and colleges. Parents would only make contributions voluntarily if they wished to do so.
The President said education remains one of the country's most important investments and should be accessible to every qualified learner.
"Countries that are ahead of us had high-quality education. Education was a central pillar. My team tells me that education makes us equal and has no equal. That is where we are taking this," he said.
Ruto also pointed to cases where students admitted to highly competitive programmes have struggled to enrol because their families could not afford the required household contribution under the current system.
However, the President indicated that the proposal will still undergo further review before it is fully implemented.
"As government, we shall now study this proposal carefully. We shall engage with its recommendations, consult widely and once that process is done, I will communicate the way forward as we shape Kenya's next long-term vision," he said.