The Kenyan Government has doubled university funding to over Sh82 billion via the Differentiated Unit Cost model to enhance student access. Despite the model facing legal challenges, the Government is optimistic about resolving issues to alleviate financial burdens in education. Innovative funding strategies are encouraged to support students equitably based on need.
The Government has doubled funding for local universities to over Sh82 billion through the Differentiated Unit Cost (DUC) model, aimed at providing a student-centered funding approach. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba emphasized that the model is designed to ensure that no needy student is excluded from higher education access. Although the funding model’s implementation is currently suspended due to a pending court appeal, the Government hopes for a favorable court resolution to tackle education sector challenges, including financial burdens on families.
A legal petition questioning the constitutionality of the DUC model was filed by several organizations, including the Kenya Human Rights Commission and the Elimu Bora Working Group. They claimed the model unfairly transfers the financial burden from the Government to parents and argued that its student categorization based on financial status is discriminatory and lacks clarity. On the court’s directive, implementation was halted, prompting governmental appeals against this ruling, which cited infringements on students’ rights.
CS Ogamba mentioned that Sh45.85 billion is required to fund the education of 246,391 students expected to enroll in tertiary institutions for the 2025/26 academic year. This cohort represents the highest number of qualifiers scoring C+ or higher in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE). He underscored the importance of this funding to prevent any deserving students from missing out on university education.
He affirmed that collaborative efforts are crucial to ensure that all qualified students receive financial support for academic pursuits. Ogamba called for innovative funding solutions, including public-private partnerships and contributions from alumni to create sustainable support mechanisms. Equity and inclusion efforts were also highlighted to ensure marginalized groups can access higher education.
Despite existing university debts of Sh72 billion, the funding model aims to alleviate this financial strain. By transitioning to a student-centered funding mechanism that categorizes students into five distinct bands based on financial need, the DUC model seeks to provide equitable financial assistance where the most disadvantaged students receive significant scholarships.
The previous block funding approach has been replaced by scholarships, loans, and household contributions, allowing universities more freedom to generate revenue through research commercialization. The strategy also focuses on easing reliance on government funding, with student support quantified by factors like income level and other socio-economic considerations.
Currently, over 563,000 students are enrolled across 32 universities in Kenya, reflecting a slight increase from the previous academic year. Public institutions receive substantial government subsidies to support their operational costs. In light of the ongoing legal situation, the Government continues to urge all educational stakeholders to ensure all students can pursue their studies despite the challenges of the new funding model.
The Kenyan Government has significantly increased funding for universities through the Differentiated Unit Cost model to enhance student access to higher education. Despite current legal challenges regarding the model’s constitutionality, efforts are ongoing to ensure that financial support is equitably distributed based on need. Collaborative strategies, including public-private partnerships and other funding avenues, are imperative for minimizing the financial burdens faced by universities and their students.
Original Source: www.kenyanews.go.ke
