Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba has apologized for her outburst during the Speaker’s Kamkunji on the new University Funding Model. A Kamkunji is an informal meeting of MPs to discuss important national issues, traditionally convened and chaired by the Speaker.
On Tuesday, Wamuchomba expressed frustration, feeling that the MPs were wasting time. She was visibly upset, having spent the entire day in the House seeking clarity from officials who were expected to provide information. Wamuchomba questioned how students were able to obtain information from the State Department of Higher Education and Research amid the confusion.
We are wasting our time Mr Speaker, I think it is high time we acknowledge that this system is quite a mess. We must go back to the drawing board. We are wasting the lives and the future of our children,” she said.
She called for the firing of those tasked with information dissemination in the State Department, saying they are “doing a lot of nothing to our country”.
The vocal MP later apologised through a statement on her X account, saying she was worried about the students who will be joining universities.
“Am sorry I was agitated in parliament yesterday but I cry for the university freshers,” she said.
“After spending the whole Morning 9.30am to 2.30pm in Bunge’s Kamukunji, I am yet to be convinced that the Student-centred funding Model will work for needy university students. We must be genuine for Kenya to work .”
The meeting was attended by Higher Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala, University Fund CEO Geoffrey Monari, and Prof. Daniel Mugendi, Chairman of the Vice Chancellors’ Committee of Public Universities.
During the Kamkunji, legislators highlighted the issues with communication between the ministry, universities, and the public, which has led to confusion and misinformation. Wetang’ula commented that despite the new model’s potential, poor communication could undermine its effectiveness.
“Even with this very good model, the efficiency has been compromised by communication issues. We are now learning that students without funds should report, and those with incorrect data should correct it at the universities,” he stated.
Inyangala defended the Ministry’s communication efforts but admitted that improvements are needed. She assured the House that the ministry is working closely with vice-chancellors to ensure that students are not turned away from universities.
