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British High Commissioner Matt Baugh said the initiative was part of efforts to extend the Commission’s engagement beyond Nairobi and reach people and businesses in other parts of the country.
Parents Associations proposed replacing Parent-Teacher Associations with recognised Parents Associations, with a stronger and more clearly defined role in supporting schools and learners.
Under the proposed model, vulnerable students would receive 82 per cent of their education costs as scholarships and 18 per cent as loans. Extremely needy students would get 70 per cent as scholarships and 30 per cent as loans, while needy students would receive 53 per cent as scholarships, 40 per cent as loans and seven per cent from their families.
Higher Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala said on Tuesday that students should not panic over the delay, saying the government would provide direction once the transition to the new system is complete.
The KCB Foundation has launched its KCB Scholars Programme in South Sudan, awarding scholarships to third-year medical students as part of efforts to expand access to higher education and strengthen the country’s health workforce.
The certificates, which cost Sh1,500 and are obtained through the eCitizen payment system, can be used immediately for university admissions, college and TVET applications, scholarships, job applications, internships and other official purposes.
The academy was launched after Winfrey met South Africa's anti-apartheid leader and former President Nelson Mandela in 2002. Since opening in 2007, the school has educated girls from underprivileged communities, with more than 1,000 students graduating over the years
HELB further stated that applicants who previously benefited from its loan programme must show that they are actively repaying their loans or have fully settled them before they can be considered for the scholarship.
The latest figures show public universities are operating with a funding deficit of Sh28.97 billion, while TVET institutions require an additional Sh14.9 billion to meet their financial needs.
The funding model, rolled out after President William Ruto took office, is now facing its toughest challenge since its introduction. Official figures show university admissions have grown from about 70,000 students in 2017 to 202,133 placed this year, an increase of more than 300 per cent in less than a decade.
HELB called on applicants to submit their requests as early as possible and carefully follow the application guidelines to help ensure their applications are processed without unnecessary delays.
Speaking during the release of the placement results, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said the move is intended to provide students with sufficient time to make informed decisions about their academic and career paths before reporting to their respective institutions.
Candidates will access their placement details through the KUCCPS portal using their KCSE index numbers. Once they confirm their placements, universities and colleges will begin issuing admission letters and joining instructions.
The allocation is part of ongoing efforts to expand access to higher education and will benefit students admitted to public universities in 2023, 2024, and 2025
According to the 2026/27 Budget Estimates presented last week by National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, the Higher Education Loans Board has been allocated Sh56.3 billion against a required Sh112.1 billion to support about 1.38 million students.
Thirty-four county governments have signed intergovernmental agreements with the Ministry of Education to keep funding bursary and scholarship programmes. MPs in the National Assembly questioned the constitutional and legal framework and whether counties may spend public funds without direct legislation.
The lack of a unified financing framework has led to concerns about duplication of support, inefficiencies and accountability gaps.
At the University of Nairobi, government funding reduced from Sh2.44 billion in 2023/2024 to Sh947.8 million in 2024/2025, before falling further to Sh534.79 million in 2025/2026.
The scholarships, which will run for three years, target high-performing learners from disadvantaged households. Since 2020, the Elimu programme has helped 62,000 students, with special focus on vulnerable groups such as refugees, host communities, children from informal settlements, and families with limited income.
Parents must be consulted before any extra levies are introduced, while Boards of Management are required to ensure proper use of resources and give annual financial reports to parents. Schools must also offer bursaries or scholarships to support needy learners.
The model, if adopted, could resemble systems in other countries where scholarship recipients, such as athletes or military trainees, are required to fulfill service duties before exploring private sector roles.
Higher Education PS Beatrice Inyangala said institutions are pursuing a range of measures to ensure survival. These include increasing student admissions, fully utilising existing facilities, and tapping into government funding through capitation, loans, and scholarships.