The Principal Secretary (PS), State Department for Higher Education and Research, Dr. Beatrice Inyangala, has assured Kenyans that the government is committed to make higher education more affordable and accessible by all Kenyans.
Speaking during Murang’a University of Technology’s 9th graduation ceremony on Friday, where 1,558 students were conferred with degrees and diplomas, the PS unveiled details of the government’s student-centered funding model that is set to benefit learners across the country.
Dr. Inyangala announced that tuition fees for all university programmes have been cut by 15 percent to ease the financial burden on families.
“Under the refined model, the fees have been reduced by 15 percent for every programme to reduce the money that households raise. We are looking forward to admitting 180,125 students across all universities, and all of them will benefit from this reduction,” she said.
She further disclosed that the government has already released Sh. 41 billion to the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), to support scholarships and student upkeep.
The PS directed universities and colleges to update their admissions portals to reflect the revised fees and guide learners through the Higher Education Financing (HEF) portal.
“Institutions must now update their admissions portals to reflect the revised fees and guide learners in navigating the Higher Education Financing portal,” she added.
Highlighting the government’s financial commitment, Dr. Inyangala said that for the 2025/2026 Financial Year budget, the higher education sector had been allocated a record Sh. 701 billion.
She urged the graduates to take advantage of government initiatives designed to support their transition into the job market.
“I urge you to take advantage of the national employment portal, government internship programmes, and scholarships abroad. The world is open for you, apply for jobs, seek internships, and pursue postgraduate studies. Kenya needs your skills,” she stated.
Murang’a University of Technology Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dickson Nyariki, commended the government’s reforms in the education sector, saying they would ease the burden on students while enhancing access to education.
He also celebrated the university’s growth since attaining full university status, citing the expansion of academic programmes, infrastructure development, and stronger research output.
“Today, we celebrate not only the success of our 1,558 graduands, but also the journey of Murang’a University of Technology. Our graduates are equipped to be problem-solvers and innovators ready to serve society,” He asserted.
On his part, Murang’a Deputy Governor, Stephen Munania, encouraged the graduates to be at the forefront in innovation.
He underscored the importance of research and innovation in addressing societal challenges.
“The only thing that can beat experience is research and innovation. Research provides solutions to the pressing needs of our society. I challenge you to use your knowledge as a tool for transformation, do not just look for jobs, create them, and be change agents in your communities,” Munania advised the graduands.
As Kenya continues to invest heavily in higher learning, graduates are expected to play a central role in driving research, innovation, and economic growth, turning their academic achievements into meaningful contributions to society.
With reduced tuition fees, expanded scholarships, and a record Sh.701 billion allocations to the sector, the student-centered funding model is designed to make university education more accessible, while aligning it with the needs of the economy.
By Bernard Munyao and Catherine Kamunyo
