Evangelist and 2022 presidential aspirant Reuben Kigame has accused the government of manipulating university education costs for political mileage, following the announcement of a major tuition fee reduction set to take effect from September 1, 2025.
Higher Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala unveiled the new structure on July 30, citing extensive consultations with students, parents, and education stakeholders. The revised fees will apply to both new and continuing students in public universities and constituent colleges.
Courses such as clinical and pre-clinical medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy will cost between Sh12,960 and Sh75,000 per semester. Arts, business, and economics programmes will range from Sh7,525 to Sh30,101, while humanities will cost between Sh5,814 and Sh23,526.
“This bold step reaffirms our commitment to ensuring affordable, accessible, and quality university education,” said Inyangala, who also confirmed continued government support through HELB and the University Fund.
Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah lauded President William Ruto’s administration for taking what he termed a “progressive” step. “President Ruto has once again reaffirmed his commitment to making tertiary education affordable to every Kenyan child,” he stated.
But Kigame was unimpressed. Taking to social media, he condemned the move as a political stunt timed to appeal to voters ahead of the 2027 elections.
“You think you can play politics with the lives of our children and get away with it? Now we know you hiked fees for political gain,” Kigame posted on X. “May God judge you.”
His remarks add to the growing controversy surrounding the government’s new funding model rolled out in 2023. Although it was designed to promote equity through needs-based scholarships and loans, it has faced sharp criticism and was recently declared unconstitutional by the courts for being discriminatory.
Critics argue the model offloads the state’s constitutional responsibility onto parents, plunging many families into financial hardship.
As universities now prepare to implement the revised fees, Kigame’s outcry underscores a deeper mistrust among Kenyans over the politicisation of education reforms.
