In Pictures: Members of the National Assembly Committee on Education have urged universities to adopt sustainable financing models to address the growing financial challenges in higher education.

In Pictures: Members of the National Assembly Committee on Education have urged universities to adopt sustainable financing models to address the growing financial challenges in higher education.

Speaking at the 2𝘯𝘥 𝘉𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳s𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘍𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦, legislators emphasized the need for innovation in university financing, given the sector’s rising costs, economic pressures, and increasing demand for quality education.

“It is a great privilege to address this distinguished gathering at a time when Kenya's higher education sector is experiencing significant financial transformations,” said Hon. Clive Gisairo.

Lawmakers called for University dons and the Ministry to consider alternative funding models beyond government allocations and tuition fees, including public-private partnerships (PPPs) and university endowment funds.

"Universities must explore partnerships with the private sector to support infrastructure, research, and scholarship programs," Hon. Gisairo added.

The Conference, which brought together university vice-chancellors, officials from the Ministry of Education, the State Department for Higher Education, and private sector stakeholders, also discussed the government’s student-centered funding model introduced in May 2023.

The model, which offered scholarships ranging from 30% to 70% based on financial need, faced legal hurdles after the High Court declared it unconstitutional in December 2024.

The Conference was officially opened by the Principal Secretary for the State Department on Higher Education and Research, Dr. Beatrice Inyangala.

Present at the conference were Hon. Christine Ombaka, Hon. Prof. Phylis Bartoo, Hon. Peter Orero, and, Hon. Julius Taitumu, Hon. Jerusha Momanyi.