Nairobi: The Principal Secretary (PS) of the State Department for Higher Education and Research, Dr. Beatrice Inyangala, has confirmed the Kenyan government's commitment to making higher education more affordable and accessible to all citizens. During the 9th graduation ceremony of Murang'a University of Technology, where 1,558 students received their degrees and diplomas, Dr. Inyangala elaborated on the government's student-centered funding model, which aims to support learners nationwide.
According to Kenya News Agency, the PS announced a significant reduction in tuition fees, cutting them by 15 percent across all university programmes to alleviate the financial strain on families. This initiative is part of a broader plan to admit 180,125 students to various universities, all of whom will benefit from the reduced fees. Additionally, the government has released Sh. 41 billion to the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) to fund scholarships and support student upkeep.
Dr. Inyangala instructed universities and colleges to update their admissions portals to display the revised fees and assist students in navigating the Higher Education Financing (HEF) portal. Highlighting the financial commitment to higher education, she noted that the sector had received an unprecedented allocation of Sh. 701 billion for the 2025/2026 Financial Year budget. She encouraged graduates to leverage government initiatives such as the national employment portal, internship programmes, and scholarships abroad to transition into the job market.
Murang'a University of Technology's Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dickson Nyariki, praised the government's educational reforms for easing financial burdens on students and enhancing access to education. He celebrated the university's growth, emphasizing its expanded academic offerings, infrastructure development, and increased research output. Prof. Nyariki expressed confidence in the ability of the university's graduates to drive societal change through innovation and problem-solving.
Murang'a Deputy Governor, Stephen Munania, also addressed the graduates, emphasizing the role of research and innovation in solving societal challenges. He encouraged the new graduates to not only seek employment but also create jobs and serve as catalysts for transformation within their communities.
As Kenya continues to invest heavily in higher learning, the expectation is that graduates will play a pivotal role in advancing research, innovation, and economic growth. The reduction in tuition fees, expansion of scholarships, and a record budget allocation of Sh. 701 billion underscore the government's strategy to make university education more accessible and aligned with the country's economic needs.