A new university fee structure announced by the government is poised to revolutionize Kenya’s public higher education sector, drastically cutting tuition costs for all programmes and making learning more accessible to students across the country.
Starting September 1, 2025, students enrolled in public universities and their constituent colleges will pay significantly lower tuition fees, following a government directive issued after extensive stakeholder engagement. The new structure is part of the broader Student-Centred Funding Model introduced in 2024.
Higher Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala revealed that the fee restructuring was guided by principles of affordability, fairness, and institutional sustainability. “We are responding directly to the cries of students and parents. Education should empower, not burden,” she said.
Under the new structure, Medicine and Dentistry students will pay between Sh22,371 and Sh75,000 for clinical years, down from Sh600,000. Pre-clinical studies will range from Sh12,960 to Sh51,840. Engineering and architecture courses will now cost between Sh14,256 and Sh57,888, compared to previous rates nearing Sh400,000.
This shift is particularly transformative for financially struggling students. Brian Odhiambo, a second-year engineering student, said the change would allow him to continue his studies. “With my mother’s income from selling vegetables, affording Sh390,000 was impossible. Now I can breathe,” he said.
Humanities and social science students will also benefit. Courses such as history, literature, and political science will cost between Sh5,814 and Sh23,256—a sharp reduction from the former Sh144,000.
To ensure no student is left behind, the government plans to supplement the lower fees with targeted scholarships and revised loan packages. Inyangala assured that public universities have been instructed to update their admissions and financial platforms accordingly.
She stressed that the reforms are aligned with Kenya’s long-term development objectives and reflect a broader strategy to enhance inclusion and equal opportunity in the education sector. “This marks a rationalization of costs while upholding the integrity and quality of university programs,” she said.
Additionally, the reforms symbolize the government’s commitment to unity, inclusivity, and shared prosperity. The revised funding approach reflects an effort to build a unified national education system—one that works for all Kenyans, regardless of their economic background.
This development promises to reshape the future of higher education in Kenya, creating a more just and student-focused system.
