Kenya’s Pursuit Kenya’s ambition for free university education has encountered a substantial roadblock due to a projected annual cost of nearly Ksh 900 billion, according to University Fund (UF) CEO Geoffrey Monari and KUCCPS CEO Agnes Mercy Wahome.
During a recent session with the National Assembly’s Public Investment Committee on Governance and Education, both leaders conveyed that while free higher education is a noble goal, it is financially unsustainable under the current economic framework.
This meeting, attended by top government officials and lawmakers, highlighted key funding and accountability challenges in Kenya’s higher education system.
Monari explained that UF had conducted several funding simulations, but all scenarios underscored that achieving completely free university education would require an unprecedented financial outlay, which the country simply cannot afford.
Instead, UF advocates for a more sustainable approach equitable funding that ensures every student receives a fair share without aiming for tuition-free education.
Monari pointed out that such an approach would address immediate needs while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
“After conducting various simulations, it is clear that free university education remains a distant goal,” Monari stated.
“Our priority is to ensure fair and sustainable distribution of funds to students across institutions.” This meeting also brought up longstanding concerns about government-sponsored students placed in private universities, a practice that some lawmakers believe may divert crucial funds from public institutions.
Between the 2016/2017 and 2022/2023 academic years, a total of 115,648 students were admitted to private institutions under government sponsorship.
Lawmakers questioned whether this practice should continue, especially since public universities have the capacity to accommodate more students.
Auditor General Nancy Gathungu added weight to this concern by revealing accountability issues related to the Ksh 1.2 billion allocated to private institutions.
She noted that some of these grants were unsupported, lacking adequate documentation to verify how the funds were utilized.
Embakasi West MP Mark Mwenje voiced concerns over transparency, particularly the absence of an effective tracking system for funded students.
He stressed that some universities reportedly continue receiving funds for students who have dropped out or, in certain cases, passed away.
“We need a robust tracking system to prevent such funding discrepancies,” Mwenje said, underscoring the importance of improved oversight to safeguard public funds.
Responding to these concerns, Monari and Wahome highlighted that the absence of a unified data-sharing requirement complicates tracking.
Current laws do not obligate universities to provide comprehensive student data to funding agencies, making it difficult for the UF and KUCCPS to monitor student progress or verify continued enrollment.
Wahome recommended amending the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Act to close this information gap, emphasizing that such changes would enhance accountability and help prevent fund misappropriations.
Another issue hampering effective tracking and accountability, according to Monari, is the stalled implementation of a digital Higher Education Management Information System (HEMIS).
This system was envisioned to streamline data management across institutions, but efforts to operationalize it were halted when the allocated funds were redirected to the Ministry of ICT.
As a result, agencies lack the necessary tools to monitor student enrollments and funding distributions effectively.
Monari lamented this diversion of resources, calling it a major setback in establishing transparent processes in higher education funding.
There is a growing consensus among stakeholders on the need for legislative amendments and policy reforms to address these challenges.
Ensuring that public funds are utilized responsibly and transparently has become a priority.
Lawmakers urged UF and KUCCPS to spearhead these reforms, while supporting the creation of efficient systems that can track funds and ensure equitable distribution.
This meeting underscores the reality that free university education in Kenya may remain an elusive goal without transformative funding solutions.
Until then, Kenya’s focus will likely shift toward strengthening oversight, streamlining funding allocations, and ensuring public resources benefit the intended students.
