Ruto Announces Full Scholarships For These University Students
According to the Head of State, the new model will include students categorised into three: the Vulnerable, the Less Vulnerable and the Able.
Marvin Chege 
President William Ruto has announced a new university funding model for varsities and TVETs aimed at ending the debt crisis that has been hitting public universities.
In a press briefing at State House on Wednesday, May 3, Ruto revealed that the new model will be student-centred and the funds will be channelled through scholarships and loans.
"This new funding model does not increase university fees. Under the new model, we are increasing the university allocation in the new financial year from Ksh54 billion to Ksh84.6 billion.
"Universities and TVETS will no longer receive block funding in the form of capitation based on a Differentiated Unit Cost. Funding to students shall combine scholarships, loans and Household contributions on a graduated scale," he stated.
President William Ruto speaks during Labour Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi on Monday, May 1, 2023. /TWITTER.STATE HOUSE KENYA
According to the Head of State, the new model will include students categorised into three: the Vulnerable, the Less Vulnerable and the Able.
Ruto noted that the government would issue full scholarships for vulnerable students, thus sparing their parents from the need to pay any amount for the education of the students.
"Their parents will contribute nothing. The funding shall be through government scholarships and loans," Ruto stated.
However, for the students in the less vulnerable category, the government would offer them a scholarship that would pay up to 53 per cent of their education and issue them with a 40 per cent loan.
Those joining TVET institutions will receive scholarships of 50 per cent of their fees and 30 per cent in loans.
The less needy students who are joining university will get scholarships of up to 38 per cent of the cost of their education and loans of 55 per cent.
"Their Households will only pay for 7 per cent of the cost of their University Education. Those joining TVETS will receive government scholarships up to a maximum of 50 per cent and 30 per cent In loans. Their Households will pay 20 per cent of the costs," Ruto elaborated.
Ruto however issued a warning to public universities imposing additional charges to the programmes offered across various institutions.
"No public university shall levy additional charges or raise its fees without the approval of the University Funding Board," he cautioned.
The President added that the new model would take effect in the next academic year and all continuing government-sponsored students would be supported in line with the previous model.
