A group of university student leaders has decided to postpone their planned strike against the new university funding model due to security concerns and in respect for the mourning period following the tragic Endarasha fire, which claimed the lives of several children.
In a gesture of empathy towards the fire victims, the student leaders have suspended the strike to allow for a period of respectful mourning. However, they have given the government a 30-day ultimatum to take immediate action on their concerns about the controversial funding model. They warned that protests would resume if their grievances are not addressed within the given timeframe.
“Given the current climate and the political mobilization of groups potentially disrupting our protests, it is best to pursue dialogue and temporarily suspend our demonstrations,” said Zadock Nyakwaka, a student leader.
Kenyatta University student Claire Gathoga criticized the funding model’s banding categories, calling for a reduction to three categories for fairness and transparency. “The current categories need to be simplified to three for fairness and transparency,” she stated.
Kevin Marwa, a congressman from Kenyatta University, expressed concern over high loan interest rates, pointing out that medical students could accumulate debts of up to Ksh 1 million by graduation. “The 4% interest rate is excessive, especially for students from low-income families without job guarantees,” he said.
Adrian Oluoch from Chuka University urged for inclusive discussions, suggesting that parents and first-year students be involved in the dialogue to either adjust or reconsider the funding model. “We need meaningful engagement to either revise the model or scrap it entirely,” he noted.
David Karani from the Elimu Bora Working Group criticized the government’s approach to public participation, saying, “The engagement was insufficient before implementing this model. Our case against it is still pending in court.”
In response to these concerns, CS Julius Ogamba has established a committee to review and address issues related to the new funding model.
