Parliament has begun reviewing proposed legislation to overhaul university and college funding following President William Ruto's directive to make public tertiary education free.

• A key proposal is the creation of the Tertiary Education Funding Authority (TEFA), merging HELB, the Universities Fund Board, and the TVET Funding Board.
• The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Education, chaired by Tinderet MP Julius Melly, met with Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba on Wednesday, August 5.
• The new funding model will be based on means testing, and KUCCPS will become the sole national placement body, separating admissions from funding approvals.

The National Assembly's Committee on Education has commenced a thorough review of several proposed Bills designed to overhaul Kenya's education sector, aligning with recommendations from the Presidential Working Party on Education Reform.

• The primary focus is the Tertiary Education Placement and Funding Bill, which aims to merge HELB, the Universities Fund, and the TVET Funding Board into a single entity, the Tertiary Education Funding Authority (TEFA).
• Key figures involved include Committee Chairperson Tinderet MP Julius Melly and Cabinet Secretary for Education Julius Ogamba.
• Other reviewed Bills include amendments to the Basic Education Act, the Kenya National Educational Assessment Council (Amendment) Bill, and the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (Amendment) Bill, all targeting improved governance and efficiency.

The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has opened applications for its 2026/27 Jielimishe Loan, offering salaried learners the opportunity to finance their further studies.

• Up to Ksh600,000 in loan funding is available for employed Kenyans pursuing higher education.
• The loan features a competitive 10 per cent annual interest rate and flexible repayment periods of 12 to 48 months.
• HELB is facilitating applications through its online platform for the 2026/27 academic year.