Helb supports 823,000 students as enrolment to Tvet shoots to 1.2 million

WHEN Nelius Wangu joined the University of Nairobi to study journalism, President William Ruto had just announced a new funding model for government-sponsored students.

 “I'm a third year student, now getting to my final year, come September. I have been a beneficiary of student loans under the new funding model since 2023. We were the first cohort,” Wangu said.

 “My experience has not always been smooth. When I first applied, I had to come here at the main offices at Anniversary Towers three times to have my details updated.”

 Funding is allocated based on a student’s financial need established through a Means Testing Instrument (MTI).

 “Under the Student-Centered Funding Model, the most needy students receive up to 90 per cent government support towards programme costs, comprising 50 per cent scholarship and 40 per cent loan, leaving families or guardians to contribute only 10 per cent,” Higher Education Loans Board CEO Geoffrey Monari told the Star.

 “The model replaced the previous one-size-fits-all approach, where all students received similar support regardless of economic status.”

 The model supports both university and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) learners, promoting inclusivity across the post-secondary education sector.

 The impact has been massive. “The number of students supported increased from 339,347 in the 2022-23 financial year to 823,691 in 2025-26, an increase of 484,344 students or 143 per cent,” Monari said.

 The new model ensures public funds are directed to students who need them most. This has improved efficiency in the utilisation of limited government resources through evidence-based allocation using the MTI.

 Under the Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), the government has continued to allocate substantial funds towards student financing under the new framework.

 In the three years prior to the Kenya Kwanza administration, total allocation for student funding was Sh44.24 billion. Since 2023, allocation has shot up to Sh113.66 billion.

 “The model provides opportunities for academically qualified students from poor households to pursue higher education. It supports the government's agenda of reducing intergenerational poverty through education by reducing financial barriers to higher education,” Monari said.

 "We believe the government is committed to ensuring no Kenyan student is left behind."

 In addition to increased funding, the government slashed university fees beginning September last year.

 “This bold step reaffirms our commitment to ensuring affordable, accessible and quality university education,” said Higher Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala, in a letter to vice chancellors and principals of constituent colleges.

 Under the revised structure, expensive programmes like Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy cost a minimum of Sh12, 343 and a maximum of Sh75, 000 per semester.

 Architecture costs Sh12,960 and Sh57, 888. Engineering and Surveying cost between Sh14,256 and Sh57,024 per semester.

 Other courses including Built Environment and Design-Construction, Real Estate, Urban and Regional Planning, Landscape Architecture, Design and Computing cost between Sh12,960 and Sh51,840.

 Students of Nursing, Clinical Medicine, Medical Medical Laboratory Science and Technology pay between Sh14, 400 and Sh57, 600.

 Those studying Animal Science, Radiography, Sport Science, Medical Psychology, Physical Therapy, Public Health, Environmental Health, Community Health and Development pay Sh13,082 to Sh52,326.

 Food Science and Technology and Food and Nutrition students pay Sh11, 401 – Sh45, 603.

 Agriculture, Natural Resource Management and the Natural Environment, and Wildlife Science and Management cost Sh9, 729 – Sh38, 880.

 Basic sciences including Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Geography cost between Sh10,659 and Sh42,636.

 Applied Social Sciences and the Arts such as hospitality, media and communication studies, library and information studies, business information technology, sport science and management, fashion design, interior design, music (B.Mus.), civil aviation management, maritime management, agribusiness management, theatre and film studies, fine art, food service and management, law go for Sh9,690 – Sh38,760.

 Business, Education (Arts), and Economics students pay between Sh7, 525 and Sh30, 101 per semester.

 But concerns about the new funding model persist. Wangu said some of her friends were placed in the wrong category or band and received little financial help. “I have friends who have been forced to defer their studies due to lack of fees,” she said.

 Ahmed Rashid, a third-year law student and president of the University of Nairobi Students Association, said some students from well-off families are placed in the vulnerable band while some who are needy end up in the upper middle or even high-income bands.

 “There is no clear criteria that the government uses to identify the financial capabilities of various students,” Rashid said.

 “There are some parents who are making good money, but some don't make any at all, but we still rely on scant information that doesn't actually give us the correct financial position of a particular parent.”

 Rashid gave the example of his friend Elvis, placed in Band 5 (high income).

 “I know Elvis from a long time ago. I can't say Elvis is vulnerable, but he belongs somewhere in low income. He should be in Band 2, but Band 5? Then what does that mean? That someone has negotiated through corruption or influence, because it is easy for a rich person to bribe so that he can be placed in the vulnerable or extremely needy band, which is Band 1.”

 Monari acknowledged the challenges and urged students to provide accurate information.

 “For any student who applies but is not given the amount they deserve, we have an appeal process. During the financial year 2024-25, we had 11,000 appeals that were successful,” he said.

 Another key transformation in higher education is the repositioning of TVET from an alternative education pathway to a central pillar of Kenya’s human capital development strategy.

 Technical and Vocational Education Training PS Esther Mworia said under President Ruto’s administration, TVET has become a key driver of BETA, supporting industrialisation, affordable housing, manufacturing, agriculture, the digital economy and the green transition.

 Enrolment stood at 1,201,320 as of May 2026, up from 350,000 in 2022.

 The sharp rise in numbers is due to expansion and modernisation of TVET facilities, the full implementation of Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET), and the rollout of the Dual Training Model that integrates classroom learning with industry experience.

 Other reforms include implementation of Recognition of Prior Learning, increased access to student financing through scholarships and loans and strengthened industry partnerships to improve employability.

 Mworia said 169,629 trainees have benefited from TVET scholarships and a total of Sh6.9 billion disbursed since the 2023-24 financial year.

 “TVET is no longer the second choice. It is increasingly becoming the first choice for young people seeking practical skills and economic opportunities,” the PS said.

 The government is not focused only on training but also in offering employment support. Over 3,000 TVET graduates have been slotted under the Mkulima Majuu Programme for seasonal agricultural jobs in the United Kingdom.

 Another 12,465 youths have been mobilised under Kazi Majuu international labour mobility initiatives, with 6,206 having qualified for overseas opportunities.

 Some 1,100 training and employment opportunities were secured through partnership with Full Care Medical SEZ Ltd in the textile and apparel sector.

 Another 127 graduates were employed through partnership with Sainath Education Centre and EPZ industries, while 49 others were supported for overseas hospitality jobs in Jordan, Mauritius and Seychelles.

 “The ultimate measure of success is not how many students graduate, but how many secure meaningful employment, create businesses and contribute to national development,” Mworia said.

 “The TVET transformation under President Ruto is about converting skills into decent jobs, enterprises and sustainable livelihoods,” she said.

 “Through CBET, modular training, dual training, Recognition of Prior Learning, digital skilling and industry partnerships, the government is equipping young Kenyans with practical, certified and market-relevant competencies to participate effectively in the priority sectors of BETA.”