Uncertain funding model fuels confusion and anxiety in first year of university reporting

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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.