MPs have called for a lasting solution to the country's higher education funding challenges, warning that persistent financial constraints continue to undermine learning in universities and colleges.
The lawmakers have vowed to ensure a sustainable funding framework that guarantees adequate resources for public universities while ensuring needy students are not locked out of higher education due to financial difficulties.
Members of the National Assembly’s Committee on Education said there is need for urgent interventions to address funding challenges facing the higher education sector.
Lawmakers in the Committee chaired Tinderet MP Julius Melly proposed a joint engagement involving the National Treasury, the Ministry of Education and Parliament to streamline the implementation of the Higher Education Funding Model.
During a session chaired by vice chairperson Eve Obara (Kabondo Kasipul) on Thursday, the MPs engaged State Department for Higher Education, the Higher Education Loans Board and the Universities Fund where the matter was raised.
“We must have all the stakeholders on board, so that we address this funding gap once and for all,” Obara said.
Principal Secretary for Higher Education Beatrice Inyangala informed members that while the Higher Education Funding Model is operational, its implementation continues to face challenges, particularly in aligning budget allocations with the model.
“The funding model is functional. However, the main challenge lies in budget alignment,” the Principal Secretary said.
MPs noted that the disconnect between the funding model and budgetary allocations has affected effective financing of universities.
They resolved to convene a meeting bringing together the National Treasury, the Ministry of Education and the Committee to harmonize the funding framework and ensure the model delivers its intended objectives.
The committee also sought clarification on the rising pending bills owed by public universities which PS Inyangala explained is largely historical, with institutions making efforts to clear the obligations despite the accumulation of interest over the years.
According to the State Department, public universities had accumulated pending bills amounting to Sh.100.3 billion as at January 2026, with measures such as prioritising settlement of pending Bills, halting stalled projects and exploring alternative revenue streams being implemented to prevent further accumulation.
During a separate session with the Higher Education Loans Board, members questioned the board’s loan allocation criteria, particularly in periods of constrained funding.
CEO Geoffrey Monari was challenged to explain how the board determines which students receive loans when the available resources are insufficient to support all eligible applicants.
Teso South MP Mary Emaase emphasised the need for fairness, transparency and predictability in the allocation process to ensure deserving students are not disadvantaged.
“How do you ensure that all the students are treated fairly as you award the loans. What criteria do you use to determine who gets and who doesn’t?” Emaase said.
The committee also met with officials from the Universities Fund, led by acting CEO Edwin Wanyonyi, to assess the fund’s implementation of the FY 2025-2026 budget and its role in financing public universities.
