African
Kenya TVET Fees Review 2026: From Backlash to Promised Relief
On the Kenya TVET Fees Review: If you’ve been thinking about joining a technical college or polytechnic in Kenya lately, you’ve probably heard complaints: rising fees, students dropping out, and TVET suddenly costing more than some university degrees. The good news? The government just hit the brakes and announced a proper review to bring costs down.
Last week, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba spoke at Kenya Coast National Polytechnic during the launch of a new academic block. He directly addressed the growing noise from students, parents, and even trainers about unaffordable fees under the new modular system. His message was clear: a special team started reviewing TVET fees on February 26, 2026, to reduce them “downwards” to stop dropouts and get more young people into skills training.
This isn’t just talk. Ogamba pointed to the recent university fee cuts (15–40% reductions in many cases) as proof that the same can happen for TVET. The bigger picture is ambitious — the government aims to enroll 2 million trainees in public TVET institutions soon (up from roughly 500,000–750,000 now). High fees are obviously a roadblock, so something had to give.
Why the Fees Drama Started
The trouble kicked off with the modular curriculum rollout in May 2025. Instead of long, multi-year diplomas, courses are broken into shorter, standalone modules. You finish one, get certified, and move to the next — faster entry to jobs, in theory.
But here’s where it got messy:
- Trainers (through the KUTVET union) said annual tuition jumped from about KSh 56,000 to KSh 105,000 for many programs (tuition only).
- Add hostel, meals, tools, exams, materials, and uniforms — and some students report total yearly costs of KSh 400,000 or more.
- That made certain TVET diplomas more expensive than parallel university options for similar fields.
- Result? Lower new enrollments and more students quitting midway.
The Ministry pushed back, saying the official modular charge is capped at KSh 35,000 per module/term. For a typical two-module level (e.g., an artisan or craft certificate), tuition is around KSh 70,000 — supposedly cheaper or comparable to before. Government capitation (around KSh 30,000 per trainee) helps, and scholarships/loans exist for needy students. Still, many learners and parents felt the pinch in real life, especially with extra charges and the need to pay upfront per module.
What the Review Could Mean
- Lower base tuition — mirroring the university model.
- Better support for vulnerable students so household contributions drop (or disappear for the neediest).
- Fewer dropouts → more completions → more skilled youth in plumbing, welding, ICT, fashion, mechanics, hospitality, etc.
- Faster progress toward the 2-million enrollment target.
On the Kenya TVET Fees Review, no final numbers have been released yet — the team only started yesterday — but the CS team’s tone is optimistic. Expect updates in the coming weeks or months through official Ministry channels, HELB, or your polytechnic.
Quick & Simple Guide: Navigating TVET Fees in Kenya Right Now
- Current Official Figures (Government-Sponsored Students)
-
- Base annual tuition benchmark: ~KSh 67,189 (used for funding calculations in 2025/2026).
- Modular system: Usually KSh 35,000 per module (most programs have 2–3 modules per level).
- Total real cost: Varies wildly by institution — tuition + boarding + tools + exams + uniforms can push it much higher.
- Who Pays What?
-
- The government covers a significant portion through capitation and scholarships (especially for needy/vulnerable students).
- Your family pays the rest based on means-testing (poorer households pay little or nothing).
- Apply early for HELB TVET loans/scholarships if needed.
- Why Fees Feel High for Some
-
- Modular payments are sometimes required upfront for short-term projects.
- Extra charges (hostel, meals, personal protective equipment) aren’t always covered.
- Not every institution applies the cap in the same way.
- What to Do If You’re a Student/Parent/Prospective Trainee
-
- Ask your specific TVET for the exact fee breakdown — don’t rely on rumors.
- Check if you’re eligible for government funding — many miss out because they don’t apply.
- Watch for review announcements — reductions could come mid-year or apply to new intakes.
- If you’re already enrolled and struggling, talk to the dean or bursar about payment plans or bursaries.
- Bottom Line: TVET is still one of the smartest paths to hands-on, employable skills in Kenya — especially as industries cry out for artisans and technicians. The government knows the current fee complaints are hurting enrollment, so this review is a direct response. Hang in there; relief looks likely soon.
Conclusion on The Kenya TVET Fees Review
To sum up, for the latest official word on the Kenya TVET Fees Review, check the Ministry of Education website, your nearest public TVET, or trusted outlets like Kenyans.co.ke or Standard Media. Things move fast in education policy these days — stay updated!
Add comment