Kenya’s higher education landscape is undergoing a major transformation following the government’s decision to slash tuition fees across all academic programmes in public universities and constituent colleges. The revised fee structure, which takes effect from September 1, 2025, aims to enhance access to quality university education for all Kenyans, especially those from financially disadvantaged backgrounds.
The announcement was made by Higher Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala, who revealed that the reductions were the result of broad stakeholder engagement and public input. The changes align with the government’s new Student-Centred Funding Model, introduced in 2024 to reform how education is financed.
According to the new structure, students pursuing clinical medicine and dentistry will now pay between Sh22,371 and Sh75,000 annually, a steep drop from the previous Sh600,000. Pre-clinical students will pay as low as Sh12,960. Engineering and architecture students will see fees fall to between Sh14,256 and Sh57,888, from a previous high of Sh396,000.
For students like Brian Odhiambo from Siaya, the news is a lifeline. “My family struggled to pay Sh390,000. I almost dropped out,” he shared. “With the new rates, I believe I can graduate.”
Equally encouraging is the fee reduction for students in arts, social sciences, and humanities, with programmes like political science and history now ranging between Sh5,814 and Sh23,256, down from Sh144,000.
Dr. Inyangala assured that the new rates will be supplemented by a refined financial aid system. “Students will be supported based on need, ensuring equitable access,” she said. Universities are also directed to update their portals to reflect these changes immediately.
She emphasized that the move is part of the government’s broader vision to make university education more responsive to economic and social needs. “This is a strategic realignment to ensure higher education contributes meaningfully to national development,” she stated.
In a show of political unity, ODM Nairobi County leadership has thrown its weight behind the initiative, describing it as a symbol of inclusive governance and progressive leadership. “We must work as one nation to ensure no Kenyan is denied education due to poverty,” their statement read.
The fee cut marks a significant milestone in Kenya’s education reform journey and sets a precedent for future policies centered on affordability, inclusivity, and sustainability.
