KNBS Data Shows Sharp Funding Cuts for Public Universities Amid Rising Enrolment

Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics shows that public universities are facing a significant funding squeeze, with 24 institutions losing up to Sh13 billion in government allocations between the 2023/2024 and 2025/2026 financial years. The figures point to a steep decline under the new funding model, even as pressure on the sector continues to grow.

According to the data, the funding cuts are affecting major institutions at a time when more than 250,000 students are expected to join universities in September. This growing enrolment is increasing demand for resources, raising concerns about how institutions will cope with reduced allocations.

The University of Nairobi is among the most affected, with its allocation dropping from Sh2.44 billion in 2023/2024 to Sh947.8 million in 2024/2025, and further to Sh534.79 million in 2025/2026. Over the same period, the number of government sponsored students declined from 23,666 to 10,859.

Other universities have also recorded sharp reductions. The Technical University of Mombasa’s funding fell from Sh1.06 billion to Sh90.9 million, while Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology saw its allocation decrease from Sh2.5 billion to Sh474.83 million.

Kenyatta University, Egerton University, and Maseno University also experienced cuts, with funding dropping from above Sh1 billion to slightly over Sh600 million. The KNBS data highlights the scale of the reductions across the sector and raises questions about how public universities will manage increasing student numbers with fewer financial resources.