Kiharu Member of Parliament Ndindi Nyoro has called on the government to extend Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) funding to students enrolled in private colleges, arguing that excluding them undermines national efforts to build a skilled and competitive workforce.
Speaking in Thika during the 4th Graduation Ceremony of JFC Munene College of Health Sciences, where more than 1,000 students graduated with various academic qualifications, Nyoro said private institutions play a critical role in complementing public learning institutions by training professionals in crucial sectors such as health, technology and other technical fields.
Nyoro noted that many students pursue critical courses such as medicine, nursing and other health sciences in private colleges due to limited spaces in public institutions, with many facing financial hurdles that affect their performance.
He argued that denying them access to government-backed student loans, is unfair and counterproductive, given their contribution to national development.
“Education financing should be based on the value of skills acquired and service rendered to the country, not the ownership of the institutions,” Nyoro said, adding that equal access to HELB funding would promote inclusivity, fairness and equal opportunity for all learners.
Currently, HELB primarily supports students enrolled in public universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions through loans and bursaries aimed at improving access to higher education.
While the model has expanded in recent years to include more learners under the reformed funding framework, the majority of students in private colleges remain excluded from direct government loan support, forcing many to rely on family resources or drop out due to financial constraints.
Nyoro warned that continued exclusion of private college students risks slowing the country’s human capital development, especially in specialized fields, where private institutions have heavily invested in infrastructure, equipment and training capacity to meet market demand.
JFC Munene College of Health Sciences Director Cecilia Ochol said expanding access to education financing, including HELB support for private colleges, would empower more young people to acquire professional skills and make meaningful contributions to national growth.
The call adds to the growing debate on education financing reforms, with stakeholders urging the government to adopt a more inclusive approach that recognizes the role of private institutions in Kenya’s higher education ecosystem.
By Muoki Charles
