The number of Kenyan students qualifying for university in 2024 has reached unprecedented levels, exacerbating financial pressures on the government’s education funding system. This year, 246,391 candidates achieved the minimum university entry grade of C+ and above, marking an increase of 45,258 from the 2023 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) results. This surge reflects the steady rise in university-eligible students since 2022, when only 173,345 candidates attained the grade.
Education funding has been under strain since 2016, when the government began automatically financing university and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programs for all qualified candidates. However, a new funding model introduced in 2023 aimed at aligning sponsorships with financial need was struck down by the High Court in December 2024.
Justice Chacha Mwita ruled the model unconstitutional, stating it unfairly burdened parents and failed to adhere to public participation requirements. The model would have provided up to 95% funding for vulnerable students, while wealthier families were to finance up to 70% of their education. With the court’s annulment, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba acknowledged the challenges but assured students that no one would be denied sponsorship.
Despite these assurances, anxiety remains high among university students over potential funding gaps. Ogamba clarified on January 14, 2025, that funds had already been allocated in the 2024–25 budget and would be released to cover fees and upkeep across higher education institutions. The Sh656.6 billion education allocation in the current financial year, which includes Sh62.8 billion for the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) and other scholarships, underscores the sector’s budgetary importance.
To alleviate funding pressures, the government has adopted austerity measures, including merging 42 state corporations into 20 entities. Among those targeted for consolidation are the University Fund and HELB. While details on specific entities remain unclear, President William Ruto emphasized the need to streamline operations, curb waste, and reduce excess spending.
The Cabinet also resolved to declassify professional organizations currently categorized as state corporations, eliminating their government budgetary allocations. These measures aim to redirect resources to critical expenditures as the 2024 university cohort prepares to enroll in September.
However, with an accumulation of pending bills amounting to Sh94.4 billion as of March 2024, questions persist about the sustainability of these interventions in ensuring equitable access to higher education.
