President William Ruto is attending the 42nd graduation ceremony at the University of Eastern Africa, Baraton, where he is the chief guest. The ceremony is taking place on Sunday in Nandi County at the Seventh-day Adventist Church-affiliated institution.
Accompanying the President are top government officials, including Education Cabinet Secretary Migosi Ogamba and Higher Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala.
During the event, President Ruto is expected to address concerns regarding the university education funding model, which has sparked controversy among Kenyans. Some parents have protested after receiving admission letters with high fees due to incorrect placement in funding bands.
In response to these concerns, the government has introduced adjustments to the funding bands to address previous issues. Inyangala revealed on Friday that the new funding model is divided into five bands based on family income levels. Each band receives a specific combination of scholarship and loan support.
Band One, the most financially needy group, includes families with an income of up to Sh5,995. Students in this band will receive a government scholarship covering 70 percent of their fees and a loan covering 25 percent, totaling 95 percent support. The family will contribute 5 percent of the fees, and the student will also receive a Helb upkeep loan of Sh60,000.
Band Two includes families with incomes between Sh5,995 and Sh23,670. In this band, the government scholarship will cover 60 percent of the fees, and the loan will cover 30 percent, with the family paying 10 percent of the fees. Students in this category will receive an upkeep loan of Sh55,000.
In Band Three, the government has categorized families with incomes between Sh23,670 and Sh70,000. Students in this band will receive a government scholarship covering 50 percent of their fees, with an additional loan covering 30 percent. The family will be responsible for 20 percent of the fees, and students will also get an upkeep loan of Sh50,000.
Band Four includes families with incomes between Sh70,000 and Sh120,000. In this band, the government scholarship will cover 40 percent of the fees, and the loan will cover 30 percent. Families will contribute 30 percent of the fees.
Band Five is for families earning more than Sh120,000. In this category, families will cover 30 percent of the fees, receive a 30 percent loan, and be responsible for the remaining 40 percent.
Education CS Julius Ogamba stated on Friday that students dissatisfied with their assigned bands can appeal through the Higher Education Portal.
Last Wednesday, President Ruto announced that new admission letters for first-year students joining in September have been issued. These new letters reflect the correct fees to be paid by the government, the Higher Education Loans Board, and parents.
