Kenyan President announces free public university tuition starting September

The policy reform, unveiled during a national address at State House in Nairobi, guarantees state-funded tuition for incoming students beginning with the September 2026 academic intake, pending legislative approval.

Shift Away from Needs-Based Higher Education Funding

If approved by lawmakers, the initiative will replace Kenya’s previous Variable Scholarship and Loan Funding (VSLF) model, introduced in 2023, which categorised financial support based on assessed household income levels.  

Under the new universal sponsorship framework, the government will fully cover higher education fees for all placed students, while allowing parents the option to make voluntary financial contributions if they choose.

Legislative Steps and Stakeholder Reaction

To fully implement the policy, the Kenyan Parliament must pass amendments to the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Act before the September 2026 academic term.

President Ruto urged lawmakers to expedite the legislative process to ensure financial hardship no longer prevents students from enrolling in key professional programs such as medicine, engineering, and vocational sciences.

While educators, decision-makers, and policymakers, and student groups have welcomed the proposal’s potential to widen access and ease family financial burdens, economic analysts have highlighted the need for clear Treasury budgetary frameworks to ensure the long-term fiscal sustainability of universal funding.