Education expert Davies Okombo has raised concerns over President William Ruto’s recent promise to fully fund all students admitted to universities and colleges. Speaking on a local radio station on July 28, 2026, Okombo described the announcement as politically motivated rather than a well-planned strategy.
While acknowledging that the July 21 declaration could increase access to higher education, Okombo highlighted the absence of a detailed financial plan to support universal funding for university and college students.
Budgetary Challenges
Okombo pointed out that the 2026/27 national budget does not allocate sufficient resources to fulfill the pledge. He noted that although the education sector receives 28% of the national budget, this amounts to only 3.8% of Kenya’s GDP—down from 7.5% in 2005—indicating significant underfunding.
He estimated that about Ksh133 billion would be needed to implement universal higher education funding and urged the government to clarify the source of this additional financing. Okombo also called for transparency on whether the funding would come as scholarships or repayable loans.
Ruto’s Funding Proposal
President Ruto announced that starting September 2026, every student who qualifies and gains admission to a university or college would receive full government funding, with parental contributions being optional. This plan awaits parliamentary approval to amend the Higher Education Loans Board Act.
The proposed system aims to replace the current model that combines government scholarships, HELB loans, and household contributions based on financial need assessments.
Expert’s Recommendations
- Expand access to higher education cautiously.
- Develop a realistic budget and clear implementation framework.
- Clarify funding mechanisms to ensure sustainability.
Okombo emphasized that while expanding higher education access is important, the government must first present a practical and financially viable plan to achieve this goal.
