Confusion continues to grip first-year university students and their families after the government announced a 15- to 40-percent reduction in tuition fees, which has yet to be reflected across many institutions. While the Ministry of Education confirmed the review was completed, most universities have not updated their portals, leaving students unsure of what to pay as admissions begin.
Education Cabinet Secretary Migos Ogamba explained that universities are still processing the adjustments. “On Friday, the data got ready. This is the time universities are now feeding that data, and in some institutions, the process has not been completed. That is where we are having confusion, with students saying they cannot yet see the changes,” said Ogamba.
Why Are Students Still Confused About Fee Reductions?
For many families, the uncertainty is overwhelming. Twenty-year-old Collins Barare from Kisii County, who is a student at Tom Mboya University, shared his struggles. “I applied for HELB and a scholarship and was told my applications were successful, but I don’t know how much I’ve been allocated. Even the bands are not clear. Right now, I don’t know if I will be able to join,” he said.
His mother, Naomi Kwamboka, voiced her frustration. “We don’t know how much we are supposed to pay, and even if we did, I don’t have the money. I haven’t managed to get hostel fees either. I already sent my other child to Nairobi to work as a maid so she can help pay school fees,” she said.
Are Continuing Students Facing the Same Challenge?
At Kisii University, the situation remains mixed. Some learners report no change in their accounts, while others have started to see reductions. “I haven’t seen any changes in my portal, but I’m hopeful,” said Dickson Odhiambo. His colleague Kennedy Owino added, “My fees have been reduced, and it’s a big relief. We’ve started to see the benefits.”
Meanwhile, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology in Nyeri has informed students that updated structures will only be released once government allocations are confirmed.
Despite the delays, CS Ogamba reassured that no deserving learner would be left out. He emphasized that the new student-centered model was designed to guarantee government support. “Where there is an error or incorrect information, there will be room for appeal so that fees can be reviewed. The purpose of the student-centered model is to ensure that every student who deserves government support receives it, and we are determined to see that through,” he said.
For now, thousands of first-years remain in an indeterminate state, waiting for clarity on whether the promised tuition relief will reach them before classes fully resume.
By Lucky Anyanje