PREMIUM Uncertainty clouds Ruto’s university funding overhaul Education Aug 08 2026 Listen

This uncertainty arises because universities have already announced reporting dates for the 2026/2027 academic year, leaving little time for parliament to approve and the government to implement the new funding framework that President Ruto says will take effect in September.

Article With less than a month to go until President William Ruto’s planned introduction of a universal funding model for university students, uncertainty surrounds the government’s transition from the current scholarship and loan system, with thousands of first-year students preparing to report to campus later this month.

The reforms are contained in the Tertiary Education Placement and Funding Bill 2026, which seeks to overhaul the higher education financing system, replacing the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), the Universities Fund (UF), and the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Funding Board (TVETFB) with a single Tertiary Education Funding Authority (TEFA).