List of private universities eligible for HELB funding

The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service has released an updated list of private universities eligible for funding through the Higher Education Loans Board, following the official opening of the 2026 placement portal.

The move signals continued efforts to widen access to higher education financing, particularly for students opting for private institutions.

While HELB loans will be available across both public and private universities, government scholarships will remain restricted to public institutions under the Ministry of Education.

KUCCPS confirmed that the placement process, which runs from April 7 to May 6, continues to offer HELB loans for private universities, while government scholarships will remain exclusive to public institutions.

This distinction is expected to influence student choices, especially among those weighing affordability against institutional preference.

In this year’s placement cycle, universities have been allocated a total of 322,396 degree programme spaces approved by the Commission for University Education.

This capacity is set against a significantly larger pool of candidates.

According to KUCCPS data, in the 2025 KCSE examination, KUCCPS received results for 980,444 eligible candidates, out of whom 268,700 attained a mean grade of C+ and above.

These students qualify for placement into degree programmes across 43 public and 31 private universities.

The disparity between available slots and qualified candidates highlights the competitive nature of university placement, even as more private institutions are brought into the funding framework.

To streamline the application process, KUCCPS has also announced a nationwide support initiative.

Placement officers will be deployed across universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to guide applicants.

The agency noted that during the application period, the placement body will send its officers to various universities and TVET institutions in all counties to support applicants.

This approach aims to reduce errors in application submissions and ensure students make informed course selections.

Full List of Private Universities Eligible for HELB Funding

1. Africa International University (AIU) – Nairobi County

2. Africa Nazarene University (ANU) – Kajiado County

3. Amref International University (AMIU) – Nairobi County

4. Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) – Nairobi County

5. Daystar University – Machakos County

6. Great Lakes University of Kisumu (GLUK) – Kisumu County

7. Gretsa University – Kiambu County

8. International Leadership University (ILU) – Nairobi County

9. Islamic University of Kenya (IUK) – Nairobi County

10. Kabarak University (KABU) – Nakuru County

11. KCA University – Nairobi County

12. Kenya Assemblies of God East University (KAGEU) – Nairobi County

13. Kenya Highlands Evangelical University (KHEU) – Kericho County

14. Kenya Methodist University (KeMU) – Meru County

15. Kiriri Women’s University of Science and Technology (KWUST) – Nairobi County

16. Lukenya University – Machakos County

17. Management University of Africa (MUA) – Nairobi County

18. Marist International University College – Nairobi County

19. Mount Kenya University (MKU) – Kiambu County

20. Outspan Global University – Nyeri County

21. Pan Africa Christian University (PAC) – Nairobi County

22. Pioneer International University (PIU) – Nairobi County

23. Presbyterian University of East Africa (PUEA) – Kiambu County

24. Riara University – Nairobi County

25. Scott Christian University (SCU) – Machakos County

26. St Paul’s University (SPU) – Kiambu County

27. Tangaza University – Nairobi County

28. The East African University (TEAU) – Kajiado County

29. University of Eastern Africa, Baraton (UEAB) – Nandi County

30. Uzima University – Kisumu County

31. Zetech University – Nairobi County