First-year students reporting to public universities are facing steep financial hurdles, with some institutions demanding payments of up to Sh50,000 before admission.
The unexpected requirements come as many learners wait for disbursement of loans from the Higher Education Loans Board (Helb).
At the University of Nairobi (UoN), students said they were asked to clear registration fees ranging between Sh23,000 and Sh50,000 as a condition for enrolment.
In previous years, government-sponsored learners were admitted first, with fees settled later once Helb support was processed.
Parents and guardians say the sudden policy shift has left families struggling. Some are being forced to take loans amid rising living costs.
“We were used to a situation where government-sponsored students only paid the balance after Helb settled the main fees. But now we are at a crossroads. I don’t know if my son will report to university. Life is becoming tough,” said a parent whose child was admitted to UoN.
The cost of admission varies depending on the course. Parents reported charges of Sh30,000 for economics, Sh50,000 for medicine, and Sh48,000 for actuarial science. Hostel fees average Sh10,750 per semester, or about Sh2,500 per month.
University officials attributed the upfront demands to delays in Helb funding and ongoing reforms in higher education financing. They stressed that the policy applies across institutions, not just at UoN.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba on Friday defended the model, saying semester fees would now range between Sh5,814 and Sh75,000 depending on the programme.
He argued that the new structure would make universities more sustainable and ensure government subsidies are distributed fairly.
Two weeks earlier, Ogamba had announced that 201,695 first-year students, 257,523 continuing students, and 237,000 trainees in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions would benefit from reduced fees in the current academic year.
Despite the assurances, students and parents say the immediate demand for lump-sum payments has caught them unprepared.
They are appealing to the government to reconsider, warning that many learners may miss admission deadlines as families scramble to raise the required money.
For now, uncertainty looms, with many households unsure if their children will report to class on time.
