Mbadi, Ogamba to hold talks over university, college capitation shortfall
By Cynthia Lodite, August 11, 2025Tresuary Cabinet Secretary John Mabadi has revealed plans to convene a high-level meeting with his Education counterpart Julius Ogamba, alongside their respective Principal Secretaries to address existing funding gaps in University and college capitation.
The Treasury CS made his remarks on Monday, August 11, 2025, during the Public-Private partnership forum, where he acknowledged the government plans to provide more resources to be able to meet the minimum requirement according to the capitation policy.
“I have invited CS for education together with his PSs, together with my PSs, to discuss any funding gap that is there on capitation and to see how to fill it,” Mbadi said.
Slashed University fees
Notably, Mbadi’s remark comes just a week after the government announced a significant reduction in university fees for all academic programmes in public institutions.
According to a report by the Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, the new directive, which takes effect on September 1, 2025, applies to both first-year and continuing students.
He made his remarks alongside the Higher Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala while addressing all the Vice Chancellors and Principals of Constituent Colleges.
The move follows months of consultations with the public, students, and higher education stakeholders. The directive also marks a major shift under the new Student-Centred Funding Model, which aims to make university education more affordable and accessible while ensuring the sustainability of institutions.
“This bold step reaffirms our commitment to ensuring affordable, accessible, and quality university education,” said Higher Education Principal Secretary, Beatrice Inyangala, in a letter to Vice Chancellors and Principals of Constituent Colleges.
She added that the changes directly respond to concerns raised by students and their families over the rising cost of education. Public universities are now required to revise their admissions and finance portals to reflect the new fee structure.
The government emphasised that the cost of education will continue to be met through a combination of tuition fees, scholarships, and student loans, depending on individual need.
The Ministry of Education CS further called on universities to implement the new funding reforms efficiently and fairly, adding, “We count on your full cooperation to implement these financing reforms efficiently, equitably, and in the best interest of Kenyan students and families.”