Report Universities Asking for 7% Admission Fees, Students Urged
Students have been encouraged to report universities demanding a seven percent tuition payment for admission. This call to action arises from recent scrutiny by members of parliament who questioned universities rejecting students for unpaid fees, despite a circular instructing institutions to admit students regardless of fee status.
During a meeting with university Vice Chancellors, Higher Education PS Beatrice Inyangala denied claims of sending students away or imposing pre-admission demands. In response to student complaints, direct communication was initiated with all vice chancellors.
In a meeting on September 8, 2023, vice-chancellors collectively asserted they hadn’t rejected students or requested fees beyond accommodation charges. They invited students with evidence of the seven percent fee demand to contact them for prompt resolution.
A circular from Education CS Ezekiel Machogu on August 24, 2023, instructed institutions to admit 2022 KCSE students pending funding application processing. Machogu emphasized that no student should be sent home for fee non-payment, with funds pledged to support students.
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During the meeting, HELB’s CEO, Charles Ringera, confirmed fund disbursement had not occurred, and no timeline was provided. Ringera mentioned they were pursuing funds from the Ministry and Treasury.
The government increased capitation to universities for continuing students, distinct from the Sh30 billion HELB allocation in the 2023–24 budget. Inyangala explained universities sought increased three-month capitation to maintain operations while awaiting first-year student funds, with ongoing support to vice chancellors.
MPs urged the Ministry to expedite fund distribution, recognizing institutions’ operational challenges without timely funding.
Report Universities Asking for 7% Admission Fees, Students Urged
