The University of Nairobi, the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) and the Universities Fund (UF) have held a reconciliation workshop aimed at strengthening accountability, improving coordination and resolving outstanding issues in higher education financing.

The workshop, held at Machakos University, brought together HELB CEO Mr. Geoffrey Monari, Universities Fund CEO Dr. Edwin Wanyonyi, senior representatives from the two agencies, and officials from the University of Nairobi.

The engagement focused on funding flows, student financing, data integrity, accountability, and reconciliation of institutional records with those maintained by the funding agencies.

The meeting comes amid the transition to the new higher education funding model, which has created both opportunities and operational challenges for universities and funding agencies. Key challenges include differences in student records, delays in disbursements, changes in student status and difficulties in matching student-level funding with university financial records.

A key concern highlighted during the engagement was the KSh 3.98 billion in outstanding Government-sponsored student funding owed to the University over the past two years. The outstanding funds have significant implications for the University's cash flow, financial planning and service delivery.

The reconciliation exercise seeks to establish a common understanding of the funding position, validate student records, reconcile allocations and disbursements, and resolve outstanding discrepancies.

The University reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with HELB and the Universities Fund to strengthen transparency, improve the efficiency of higher education financing and ensure that students receive the financial support they are entitled to in a timely and transparent manner.

The workshop underscored the importance of accurate data, timely funding, clear institutional responsibilities and continuous collaboration in strengthening Kenya’s higher education financing framework.