Kenyan university vice chancellors have proposed tripling semester tuition fees to address persistent underfunding, despite widespread opposition from students and lawmakers.
The proposal, submitted to Parliament on February 23, 2019, would increase fees from Sh16,000 to Sh48,000 per semester. The VCs argue the government's Sh36 billion annual allocation covers only half of institutional needs, with operating costs rising significantly since the 1980s.
"The cost of everything has gone up. If we’re going to run universities in a way that would make them competitive, we need to ensure they are properly funded," said Prof. Francis Aduol, chairman of the Vice Chancellor’s Committee. He emphasized that financial frameworks established in 1989 are no longer viable for modern university operations.
University of Embu VC Daniel Mugendi highlighted inflation-driven cost increases, noting training expenses have tripled since the 1980s. "It is scandalous that university students pay Sh16,000 while technical college students pay Sh26,000," he said, calling the fee structure inconsistent.
Student groups have warned of potential strikes, while MPs have threatened legal action to block the increase. The VCs maintain the government could fully subsidize the fees if needed to protect students from financial burden.
