Students at the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) under the New Funding Model (NFM) are facing mounting pressure ahead of their upcoming exams, as the institution has issued a directive requiring full compliance with fee-related requirements. Students at the Technical University of Kenya face possible exam disqualification due to delayed HELB funding, despite earlier government assurances under the New Funding Model.
Despite earlier government assurances that first-year students under the NFM would be allowed to sit exams while funding delays were addressed, TUK now insists that all such students must present official HELB promissory notes bearing valid batch numbers by July 4, 2025. Only those who comply will be allowed to sign the nominal roll and appear on the official examination lists.
This decision has sparked confusion and concern among students, especially as examinations are scheduled to begin next week. Official memo from the Technical University of Kenya dated July 1, 2025, informing students under the New Funding Model (NFM) with pending HELB tuition remittances to submit valid promissory notes by July 4, 2025. Only those who comply will be allowed to sit exams, while those with outstanding balances will have to defer their studies for one to two academic years.
Those unable to meet the university’s demands by the set deadline risk being barred from sitting their exams and face mandatory deferment of their studies for at least one academic year.
Many students argue that the policy contradicts earlier government positions and penalizes them for delays beyond their control, fueling growing frustration over the handling of the NFM rollout. "Hello Cyprian. Si gava ilisema first years under the new funding model can do the exams until all the issues are settled, ama? Sasa hawa lecturers wa TUK wanasema lazima tukue tumelipa school fees yote, na memo imetoka jana na exam inaanza next week Tuesday. Si they’re wrong, ama?? Kindly help me shed light on this issue."