- MPs proposed a joint engagement between the National Treasury, MoE and Parliament to streamline the implementation of the Higher Education Funding Model
- Dr. Beatrice Inyangala acknowledged that while the Higher Education Funding Model is operational, its implementation continues to face significant financial constraints due to inadequate alignment between budget allocations
The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Education has called for urgent measures to address persistent funding challenges facing Kenya’s higher education sector, proposing a joint engagement between the National Treasury, the Ministry of Education and Parliament to streamline the implementation of the Higher Education Funding Model.
The committee, chaired by Vice Chairperson Eve Obara, held separate meetings at Bunge Towers with officials from the State Department for Higher Education, the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) and the Universities Fund to review the implementation of the 2025/2026 financial year budget.
Appearing before the committee, Principal Secretary for Higher Education Dr. Beatrice Inyangala acknowledged that while the Higher Education Funding Model is operational, its implementation continues to face significant financial constraints due to inadequate alignment between budget allocations and the funding framework.
“The funding model is functional. However, the main challenge lies in budget alignment,” Dr. Inyangala told Members of Parliament.
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Lawmakers observed that the mismatch between the funding model and available budgetary resources has hampered effective financing of public universities, affecting their ability to deliver quality education and sustain operations. The committee resolved to convene a consultative meeting involving the National Treasury, the Ministry of Education and Parliament to harmonise the funding framework and ensure the model achieves its intended objectives.
The committee also raised concerns over the growing burden of pending bills owed by public universities. Dr. Inyangala attributed the problem to historical financial obligations, noting that institutions continue to struggle with debts that have accumulated interest over the years.
According to the State Department for Higher Education, public universities had accumulated pending bills amounting to KSh100.3 billion as of January 2026. The ministry said universities are prioritising settlement of outstanding obligations, suspending stalled development projects and exploring alternative revenue streams to curb further accumulation of debt.
In a separate session, Members of Parliament questioned officials from the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) over the criteria used in allocating student loans during periods of limited funding.
Led by Chief Executive Officer Geoffrey Monari, HELB was asked to explain how the board determines beneficiaries when available resources cannot support all eligible applicants. Legislators stressed the need for a transparent, fair and predictable loan allocation system to ensure deserving students are not unfairly excluded from financial support.
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The committee also met officials from the Universities Fund, led by Acting Chief Executive Officer Dr Edwin Wanyonyi, to review the institution’s implementation of the 2025/2026 budget and evaluate its role in financing public universities.
The parliamentary engagements are part of the committee’s constitutional oversight mandate aimed at monitoring budget implementation and ensuring public resources allocated to higher education are utilised efficiently to improve access, equity and the quality of university education across the country.
The committee expressed optimism that stronger collaboration among key government agencies will provide sustainable solutions to the funding challenges facing Kenya’s higher education sector while safeguarding the future of thousands of university students.
By Godfrey Wamalwa
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