The University of Nairobi (UoN), Kenyatta University (KU), and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) are among public universities that recorded reduced government funding in the 2025/26 financial year.
According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics Economic Survey 2026, funding to the University of Nairobi dropped from KSh2.44 billion in 2023/24 to KSh947.8 million in 2024/25, then declined further to KSh534.79 million in 2025/26, even as student numbers varied over the period.
Kenyatta University’s allocation also fell from KSh1.029 billion in 2023/24 to KSh688.54 million in 2024/25.
UoN, JKUAT and Other Universities That Recorded Reduced Funding
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology saw its funding decline from KSh2.53 billion to KSh625.18 million, then to KSh474.83 million over the same period.
Egerton University’s funding, for instance, dropped from KSh1.73 billion in 2023/24 to KSh628.74 million in 2024/25 and further to KSh365.24 million in 2025/26.
Similarly, the Technical University of Mombasa saw its allocation fall from KSh1.06 billion to KSh206.47 million, then to KSh90.90 million.
Moi University, Egerton University, the Technical University of Kenya, and the Technical University of Mombasa also recorded notable reductions in their allocations.
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Kibabii Among Universities That Showed Mixed Trends
Kibabii University recorded a mixed funding trend, rising from KSh477.21 million in 2023/24 to KSh421.98 million in 2024/25, then declining to KSh281.22 million in 2025/26, alongside fluctuating student enrolment over the period.
Maseno University also showed a mixed pattern, with funding moving from KSh1.71 billion in 2023/24 to KSh651.34 million in 2024/25, before recovering to KSh628.90 million in 2025/26, even as student numbers rose in the latest cycle.
Chuka University similarly showed variability in allocations, with funding increasing from KSh1.25 billion in 2023/24 to KSh758.30 million in 2024/25, then rising to KSh805.40 million in 2025/26, indicating a gradual rebound in support.
Also Read: Govt Clarifies Reverting to Old University Funding Model
HELB Loans Hit KSh62 Billion as TVET Funding Drops Sharply
The number of students seeking education loans rose in 2025/26 even as funding disparities emerged across education levels, with total loans granted increasing to KSh62 billion, according to the latest data.
The report showed that the total number of loan applicants increased by 3.7 percent to 1.09 million, with 65.9 percent receiving funding support.
“The total number of loan applicants rose by 3.7 percent to 1,087.3 thousand in 2025/26, out of which 65.9 percent were beneficiaries,” read part of the statement.
The number of male loan applicants increased by 5.5 percent to 634,900, while that of female loan applicants rose by 1.4 percent to 452,362 in 2025/26,” read part of the report.
Public university students accounted for the largest share of beneficiaries, with loan recipients rising by 35.4 percent to 509,336, while total funding to public university students jumped from KSh33 billion to KSh52.6 billion.
In contrast, private university applicants declined by 3.6 percent to 70,408, with beneficiaries also dropping by 2.7 percent to 49,705, despite a 14.5 percent increase in total loans disbursed to KSh3.7 billion.
TVET institutions, however, recorded a sharp decline in support, with the number of beneficiaries falling by 46 percent to 157,400, and total loans dropping by 45.9 percent to KSh5.8 billion.
