First-year students seek admission at Kisii University on June 20, 2026. [Sammy Omingo, Standard]
Incoming first-year students at public universities are experiencing heightened confusion and anxiety about tuition payments due to information gaps and ongoing legal disputes related to the government's proposed Variable Scholarship and Loan Funding (VSLF) model.
The proposed model, announced by President William Ruto, promises up to 100 per cent financial support through a combination of government scholarships, Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) products, and household contributions.
These will be determined by a scientific Means Testing Instrument (MTI). However, on-the-ground interviews with reporting freshers reveal a stark contrast between policy declarations and the reality of student orientation.
At public institutions, incoming students expressed frustration over the lack of clear, direct communication from university administration regarding how the transition to the new framework will directly affect their admission and fee status.
Aladea Stephine, an incoming Bachelor of Information Technology student at the University of Nairobi, noted that while he had applied through the Higher Education Financing (HEF) portal, he remains completely reliant on media reports for information.
"I've heard about it, but just from the news when the President was announcing. The bit I know is just about getting 100 per cent funding if you qualify. But as for orientation or communication on how the transition works, there is nothing."
He added that while his application for HELB and government scholarships is in, his status remains unverified on the portal, leaving his financial footing for the semester uncertain.