President William Ruto has unveiled plans to introduce a universal higher education funding model that will see every student admitted to a university or college receive full government financial support, if Parliament approves the necessary legal changes.
Speaking at State House in Nairobi on Tuesday, July 21, the president said the proposed system would replace the current funding model, which determines scholarships and loans based on students’ financial need. He explained that parents who wish to contribute towards their children’s education would still be free to do so, but the government would fully cover the cost for all eligible learners.
“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.
The head of state urged parliament to quickly amend the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Act so the new model can be rolled out from the September 2026 intake. He maintained that access to quality education should not depend on a family’s financial status, noting that many students are currently unable to pursue their preferred courses because they cannot raise the required household contribution.
Ruto added that the government would continue consulting stakeholders and reviewing the proposal before fully implementing the new system, describing education as a key driver of equality and national development.
