President William Ruto has initiated a significant overhaul of Kenya’s higher education funding system by forming a National Committee on the Review of the New University Education Funding Model. This was formalized through an Executive Order published in the Kenya Gazette on September 16, 2024.
The committee, comprising education experts, policymakers, and leaders from various sectors, is tasked with re-evaluating and improving the New University Education Funding Model. This model was initially introduced in May 2023 to provide equitable access to higher education through scholarships and loans.
However, challenges have arisen, particularly regarding the application of the Means Testing Instrument (MTI), which determines student eligibility based on financial need. Concerns have been raised about inconsistencies in this system, prompting the need for a review.
The newly formed committee will operate across multiple workstreams, each addressing specific areas of reform. One focus is on refining the overall funding model to ensure fairness and transparency in the allocation of resources for universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.
Another workstream will handle appeals related to student categorizations in the current scholarship and loan eligibility bands, ensuring that all grievances are addressed efficiently and justly.
Other critical areas of review include the structure of student loans, where the committee will assess how to make loans more accessible and sustainable, and the cost of university academic programs, which continues to rise. The review aims to create a financial framework that can support the growing demand for higher education while maintaining the quality of academic offerings.
The committee is chaired by Professor Japheth Micheni Ntiba, with additional leadership and coordination provided by Co-Chairpersons and subcommittees. Key figures such as Prof. Karuti Kanyinga, Dibora Zanida Hirbo, and Patrick Malanga are also leading efforts in specific workstreams, focusing on essential areas such as the structure of student loans and academic program costs.
