Government Slashes University Fees Across All Programs

NAIROBI, July 30, 2025 – The Kenyan government has announced sweeping reductions in university fees across all academic programs, delivering relief to thousands of families struggling with higher education costs.

The new fee structure takes effect September 1, 2025, marking a dramatic policy shift in response to mounting public pressure.

Principal Secretary for Higher Education Dr. Beatrice Muganda Inyangala issued the directive to all public universities and constituent colleges on Wednesday, describing the move as a “landmark rationalization” based on the Student-Centred Funding Model. The announcement comes after extensive consultations with students, parents, and education stakeholders who have long criticized the affordability of university education.

The fee reductions are substantial across all disciplines. Medicine programs, traditionally among the most expensive, will see fees drop from KSh 75,000 to KSh 51,840 per semester for both pre-clinical and clinical studies. Engineering and surveying programs will cost KSh 51,840, down from the previous KSh 57,024, while basic sciences including mathematics, physics, and chemistry will be capped at KSh 42,636, representing significant savings for STEM students.

Business and economics programs, popular among many students, will see fees reduced to between KSh 27,927 and KSh 30,101. Humanities and social sciences students will benefit from even lower fees, ranging from KSh 23,256 to KSh 27,927 across disciplines including history, philosophy, languages, and political science.

The government emphasized that these reductions represent a direct response to concerns raised by students and their families about accessibility to quality higher education. “The Government has lowered fees payable by students across all academic programmes,” the directive states, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to affordable university education while maintaining institutional financial sustainability.

This policy reversal comes after years of student protests and public outcry over university fees that many families found prohibitive. The controversial Higher Education Funding Model, which had categorized students into different income bands, faced sustained criticism for its complexity and perceived inequities in implementation.

Universities must immediately update their admissions and finance portals to reflect the revised fees, which will apply to both incoming first-year students and those already enrolled. The government has indicated that the reduced tuition fees will be complemented by scholarships and loans based on individual student needs, suggesting the funding model will continue to provide additional financial support.

The timing of this announcement, just weeks before the new academic year begins, underscores the urgency with which the government has moved to address public concerns. However, the dramatic fee reductions raise important questions about how public universities will maintain their operations and service quality with significantly reduced revenue from student fees.

The government has positioned this move as part of its broader vision to transform higher education as a cornerstone of national development. Dr. Inyangala’s directive expresses confidence that the reforms can be implemented “efficiently, equitably, and in the best interest of Kenyan students and families.”

As universities prepare for the September intake under the new fee structure, the education sector will be closely monitoring the practical implications of this major policy shift. The success of these reforms will largely depend on the government’s ability to provide alternative funding sources to universities while delivering on its promise of accessible, quality higher education for all Kenyans.