Ogamba Unveils New Funding Model to Boost Support for University and TVET Students
Education CS Julius Ogamba outlines reforms to fully fund university and TVET students, addressing past financial gaps and ensuring equitable access.
By John Mtongoi Newsroom
August 22, 2026
2 min read
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba announced a new approach to higher education funding designed to provide comprehensive financial support to university and TVET students.
Speaking in Embu on August 22, 2026, Ogamba introduced the Universal Student Funding Model, set to replace the 2023 student-centred funding system. The reforms aim to address the diverse financial needs of learners across different programmes and prevent financial barriers from hindering access to education.
Addressing Past Funding Shortfalls
Ogamba highlighted that the previous Differentiated Unit Cost (DUC) model intended for the government to cover up to 80% of university programme expenses. However, budget limitations meant actual funding ranged from 37% to 48%, resulting in public universities accumulating nearly Ksh67 billion in debt by 2022.
"Due to financial constraints, we only managed to fund about 48%, pushing universities into a significant debt trap," Ogamba explained.
Universal Student Funding Model Details
The new model seeks to mobilise resources from various stakeholders and partners to ensure full funding for every student entering tertiary education. Ogamba emphasized that funding will now follow the student and reflect the cost of their specific programme, citing the example of funding an engineering student appropriately rather than a general approach.
Under this framework, financial support will come through a mix of scholarships and loans, with loan repayments commencing one year after employment.
Challenges and Stakeholder Concerns
The previous student-centred funding system, which used the Means Testing Instrument (MTI) to assess financial need, faced criticism for inadequately supporting students in costly courses like medicine and engineering. Some vulnerable students reportedly dropped out due to insufficient funding.
While the new model has sparked debate regarding classification criteria and adequacy of support for low-income students, Ogamba stressed the reforms aim to make higher education more accessible and financially sustainable.
He added that aligning funding with student needs will also enhance the financial stability of universities and TVET institutions.
