The Principal Secretary for Higher Education, Dr. Beatrice Inyangala, has reaffirmed the government’s dedication to making higher education more affordable, citing a landmark reduction in university fees as a direct response to youth concerns.
Speaking at Meru School during the 97th National Music Festival, Dr. Inyangala said the new fee structure caps tuition at Ksh75,000 per term, with fees ranging between Ksh6,000 and Ksh75,000, averaging Ksh30,000. She stressed that this change stems from extensive consultations with young people, facilitated through the National Working Committee set up by President William Ruto in September last year.
“No student or parent, from the least privileged to the most privileged, will pay more than Ksh75,000 a term,” she affirmed, adding that the refined higher education funding model now allocates resources based on a student’s financial need. Those from disadvantaged backgrounds will benefit from increased scholarships and loans.
Dr. Inyangala also lauded the significant growth in university participation in the National Music Festival. Last year, only seven universities took part; this year, more than 22 are represented. She described this as proof that the arts are moving from the periphery to the core of higher education, with the creative economy emerging as one of Kenya’s fastest-growing sectors.
“The arts, especially music, are now at the heart of economic growth. If we equip you with the right skills and networks, you will not only seek jobs but also create them,” she said, linking this vision to the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
The PS underscored the alignment between the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system and the government’s drive to nurture creativity. She noted that CBE encourages learners from an early age to identify and develop their talents, providing a strong foundation for careers in the creative industries.
Dr. Inyangala urged higher education institutions to harness CBE’s potential by offering programs that combine artistic skills with entrepreneurial training, ensuring graduates are well-prepared to thrive in the 21st-century economy.
“This is about transforming talent into sustainable livelihoods,” she concluded, calling on universities to embrace both academic excellence and creative innovation.
