Ruto defends full state funding for university, college students

President William Ruto has pledged that every university student in Kenya will eventually receive full government funding under an improved higher education financing model.

The president said access to education should never be limited by a learner's financial status.

Speaking during the Huawei ICT Awards at State House, Nairobi, on Tuesday, the President said the government was working with university vice chancellors to refine the current student-centred funding model and ensure every student is fully supported.

Ruto said the reforms were informed by the financial crisis his administration inherited in public universities, where some institutions struggled to pay lecturers and suppliers.

"I have sat down with these vice chancellors and the leadership of our universities. When I came into office, we had a real challenge. Many of our universities faced very dire situations. Many could not even pay lecturers or their suppliers," he said.

The President said the current funding model had already delivered significant progress but promised a more robust framework that would guarantee full financial support for all university students.

"We've made very good progress with our new student-centred funding model, and we will be engaging our vice chancellors as we now progress to an even better funding model that will make sure every student has full funding for their education. That is the commitment I have made," he said.

Addressing concerns over the cost of the programme, Ruto defended the investment, arguing that education remains the country's most valuable asset.

"If you think education is expensive, try ignorance, and you will know which one is more expensive," he said.

He said education and knowledge are at the heart of Kenya's ambition to attain first-world status, insisting that no nation can achieve sustainable development without investing in its people.

"It is the single most important thing that we must do because, for us to move this country to first-world status, knowledge and education are central to that journey," he said.

Ruto also expressed confidence in Kenya's youth, saying they will be central to driving the country's economic transformation and future growth.

The President first announced the proposed 100 per cent higher education funding plan during an address at State House on July 21, 2026, and reiterated the commitment during Tuesday's Huawei ICT Awards.

The President said the changes, contained in amendments before Parliament, are aimed at ensuring that no qualified student misses out on higher education because of their financial background.

Speaking at State House on July 21, while receiving the report Developing a New Vision for Kenya: Towards a First World Nation, Ruto said the government is shifting to a universal funding model after previous approaches failed to address the needs of students and institutions.

"It will not matter the background of any child in Kenya, but how good they are," Ruto said.

He said the government had experimented with different university funding models, including the differentiated funding system, but acknowledged that they had not achieved the intended outcomes.

Ruto said the government had then introduced what it considered a more equitable approach, where parents would contribute according to their ability, but it has now resolved to move to a universal model.

"We have worked on what we thought was equity, where parents would pay. Now we are moving to universal under the amendments we have taken to Parliament," he said.

Under the proposed changes, every student who qualifies for admission to a university or college will have their education fully financed.

"Going forward, any student who has passed and is placed in a college or university, each of them will get full funding for their education," the President said.

He added that parents who are willing and able to contribute towards their children's education will still have the option to do so, while those who cannot afford the costs will receive government support.

The announcement came as the government seeks to overhaul higher education financing following widespread criticism and legal challenges over the previous funding model.