- MP Julius Melly has announced that the government’s 100 per cent university funding programme is set to begin next month, starting with the September 2026 intake.
- Melly has confirmed that household contributions will become voluntary rather than mandatory under the new funding system.
- Melly has acknowledged that the programme’s full implementation still requires parliamentary approval and amendments to the HELB Act and related tertiary funding legislation.
The implementation of the government’s plan to fully fund students’ education at public universities in the country is set to begin next month. The move, which had drawn mixed reactions, is aimed at reducing the financial burden on students and their families.
Tinderet MP Julius Melly said the programme is an important step in the government’s efforts to ensure students have access to higher education without financial barriers.
Speaking in his constituency, Melly, who is the Parliamentary Education Committee chair, defended the system and urged Kenyans to fully support its implementation.
“The implementation of 100 per cent funding for university students in the country will begin next month,” Melly said, explaining that the move demonstrates the government’s commitment to making higher education more accessible.
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The programme, announced by President William Ruto, seeks to provide government funding to all eligible students admitted to public universities, colleges and TVET institutions.
Under the new system, household contributions are expected to be voluntary rather than mandatory, effectively removing the previous arrangement that required parents to contribute based on their household’s financial capacity.
The programme is expected to begin with students joining higher education institutions in the September 2026 intake, although its implementation requires parliamentary approval and amendments to laws governing higher education funding.
Melly also praised the government’s efforts to improve the education sector, saying he was confident that the strategies would achieve their intended objectives.
“We appreciate the efforts the government has made to improve the education sector, and we believe these strategies will succeed,” he said.
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The new system also seeks to introduce changes in the management of higher education funding, including proposals to bring institutions responsible for student loans and funding under a single authority.
However, the process requires legislative action, including amendments to the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Act and proposed legislation on tertiary education placement and funding.
The implementation of 100 per cent funding is expected to mark a major change in Kenya’s higher education system, particularly for students from families facing financial challenges in meeting the cost of education.
By Kimutai Langat
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