Ministry of Education slashes tuition fees for public universities by 15%–40%
By Kiprono Keileb, August 1, 2025The Ministry of Education has announced a sweeping fee reduction for public universities, slashing tuition charges by between 15% and 40% in what it terms a bold step toward making higher education affordable and inclusive.
In a statement released on Friday, August 1, 2025, on the Ministry’s official X account, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba directed all public universities and their constituent colleges to immediately revise and update their fee structures in line with the new funding model.
“This is not just about cutting costs. It’s about securing the future of our youth and upholding the quality of our education system,” the CS stated.
The new directive follows months of nationwide consultations involving student leaders, vice-chancellors, university unions, and other education stakeholders. The reductions apply across all academic programmes and are a result of recommendations from the National Committee on Review of the University Education Funding Model, a team mandated to realign tuition costs with actual delivery expenses while ensuring fairness and access.
The Cabinet Secretary assured parents and students that no learner would be denied access to university education due to financial challenges, stating that the government would cover any fee shortfalls through the Higher Education Financing (HEF) model, a blend of scholarships and low-interest student loans.
“We are not leaving anyone behind. This funding model is built on equity, and universities are expected to offer full support to both new and continuing students,” Ogamba added.
Parents and students are now advised to consult the HEF portal (www.hef.co.ke) and engage with their respective university admissions offices for updated fee structures and financing options. The Ministry emphasised that the process will be transparent and fully digitised to avoid confusion and ensure timely access to support.
The reforms are part of the broader Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda and align with Kenya Vision 2030, which prioritises education as a key pillar for national growth.
“We expect universities to act with urgency and responsibility. The cost of learning should never be the reason a young Kenyan abandons their dreams,” the CS said.
With the directive taking effect immediately, universities have been put on notice to update their systems without delay — a move expected to bring relief to thousands of struggling households ahead of the new academic intake.