President William Ruto has explained that the government halted the placement of students to private universities through the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) due to mounting debts owed to the institutions.
Speaking during a Methodist Church leadership meeting at State House on February 20, Ruto revealed that the government owes universities nearly KSh120 billion in unpaid capitation.
“When I assumed the office, I found a debt of almost Ksh120 billion. Now, when you find yourself in a hole, you must stop digging. I instructed official to stop sending students to private universities,” he said.
Ruto Reveals Govt Owes Private Universities
Ruto also acknowledged that there are arrears owed to the Kenya Methodist University.
He indicated that at least KSh2 billion would be paid as part of efforts to reduce the pending arrears.
“We have your debt; we sent you students, but we have not paid you. I have spoken with responsible parties, in June I will plan how to pay the debt,” he said.
Also Read: KUCCPS Lists 30 Universities Ineligible for Govt Scholarships
Govt Stops Funding Students in Private Universities
In 2023, Former Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu said the government will stop funding students who qualify for university but opt to join private universities.
Former CS Machogu, who appeared before the Public Investment Committee on Governance and Education, gave the assurance that the government was shifting its policy to ensure that students are placed in public universities.
However, legislators expressed concern over the KSh20 billion spent on students who qualified for public universities but were enrolled in private institutions.
Of this, KSh13.7 billion went toward capitation fees and KSh6.7 billion as grants, even though an audit of public universities showed that they have sufficient capacity to accommodate all students who met the university admission requirements.
Also Read: KUCCPS Lists 43 Universities Eligible for Both Government Scholarship and HELB Loan in 2026
The former CS said that the new policy will require a student or parent to make the choice and cover the school fees.
“If one wants to join a private university within Kenya, we will be able to place him or her there, but the government will not give them a scholarship. The scholarships will be awarded only to public university students. Those who wish to join private universities will only be eligible for loans from HELB,” said Machogu.
Further, he stated that KUCCPS will send officers to selected universities to offer personalized support to students, parents, and members of the public.
Machogu also stated that the government had collaborated with Huduma Centres to streamline and simplify the university application process.
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