President William Ruto has pushed back the planned start of free university and college education, saying the new funding system will begin in the next semester, around January 2027.

The President made the announcement on Thursday, September 3, while speaking in Kimana, Kajiado County, during his development tour.

Ruto said the new system will cover students in universities, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, colleges and the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC).

He said students will no longer be sent home from the next semester because they cannot pay school fees.

The announcement means the free tertiary education programme, which had earlier been expected to start in September 2026, will now take effect later.

The delay comes as Parliament continues to debate the Tertiary Education Placement and Funding Bill 2026, which contains provisions for the new funding system.

The Bill must go through debate and public participation before it can be passed and sent to the President for assent.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education has asked students joining universities and colleges for the first time to continue applying for government funding through the existing system.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said applications will continue to be processed under the current Student-Centred Funding Model while Parliament considers the new Bill.

The government is expected to introduce transitional arrangements once the proposed legislation is passed.

Ruto had earlier announced in July that every student who qualifies for admission to a university or college would receive full government funding for higher education under the new system.