University scholarships under the new higher-education funding model

On 22nd July 2023, the President of Kenya promised scholarships to university students classified as needy and vulnerable under the new higher-education funding model.

On July 31, 2023, the government launched the Student-Centred Funding Model.
This model drew a lot of criticism, including that many of its aspects were not working. Parents and students alike faced difficulties in navigating it. It was seen as a departure from what was promised.
As of 2026, university and TVET students are still able to access student loans through the Student-Centred Funding Model, but none of the students have been awarded any full coverage scholarships.
In July 2026, President William Ruto proposed a new universal university funding model under which every student admitted to a public university or college would receive full government funding regardless of their financial background, seeking to ensure that no student qualified to pursue higher education misses out on the opportunity due to financial constraints. This comes against the backdrop of major underfunding of the current model that has left universities indebted.

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This Promise Tracker is an independent civic-accountability tool designed to monitor and document the progress of public commitments made by the Government of Kenya. Information presented on this platform is compiled from publicly available sources including government publications, parliamentary records, policy documents, and credible media reports. The classifications used in this tracker represent an evidence-based assessment by the platform’s researchers and should be understood as analytical judgments rather than official government determinations. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy and regular updates, the status of promises may evolve as new information becomes available. This website is not affiliated with or operated by the Government of Kenya.

Last updated: August 30, 2026 3:32 am