President William Ruto has reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that all students are admitted to institutions of higher learning, regardless of their financial backgrounds. 

Speaking at the conclusion of his three-day tour of the Gusii region on Wednesday, President Ruto expressed confidence in the Ksh.82 billion allocation, which he said would be sufficient to finance scholarships, grants, and loans for students in higher education institutions.

However, the president did not address plans to cover the Ksh.48 billion shortfall, which could potentially lock out more than 70,000 new students from accessing scholarships.

"We have increased the money available for our higher education. We have increased the money from 45 billion to 82 billion. The letters that were issued by universities are misleading because they were talking about the cost of the courses. We want those letters to be withdrawn and proper letters issued," said Ruto.

The Ministry requires at least Ksh.130 billion for this financial year to cover scholarships, grants, and loans. 

However, the president did not address the critical issue highlighted in a recent report tabled in parliament, which detailed a deficit of up to Ksh.48 billion needed for the three higher education funding policies.

The report indicates that of the Ksh.13 billion required for scholarships, the allocated Ksh.4.3 billion can only support 32% of the new students expected to join universities, leaving 73,793 students in financial limbo. 

For continuing students, the Higher Education Loans Board is grappling with a Ksh.1.7 billion deficit, potentially leaving 61,052 students without funding in the 2024-2025 financial year.

Despite these glaring gaps, the president expressed confidence in the government’s ability to support all students in higher education institutions.

"We want to ensure that every child in Kenya has access to education, and I want to assure parents that no child in Kenya will be locked out of education because of their parent's ability. We will make sure all students have a chance to access higher education in our universities and in our TVETs," the president noted.

Despite the Ksh.31 billion allocation to the Higher Education Loans Board in the recently ratified supplementary appropriation bill, it remains to be seen how the government will manage the growing anxiety over the financial distress looming over institutions of higher learning.

This assurance comes against the backdrop of increasing complaints from some students who were either locked out of the application process due to a lack of identification cards or whose parents felt burdened by the costs indicated in the revoked admission letters.