A group of university students has welcomed the government’s decision to form a committee to review the new funding model for universities. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba announced on Sunday that two committees will be established this week to assess the model, amid potential strike threats from students.
Student leaders, including University of Nairobi Students Association Secretary General Ramesh Saxena, have decided to cancel their planned protests for Monday to allow for discussions and dialogue.
“We believe, street demonstration is not the best route now unless we have no other options left. Comrades, we see light at the end of the tunnel… we join hands with our student leaders who addressed the media yesterday (Saturday) to call off tomorrow’s activity and return to the table of discussion on this matter,” they said in a joint statement.
Others present at the press briefing in Nairobi were Zadock Nyakwaka (KU), Henry Odiwuor (Zetec University), Austin Onyango (KCA University), Adrian Oluoch (Chuka University), Dr. Ojwang (UoN), and others.
The student leaders who included non-elected officials from universities claimed that goons had been mobilised to infiltrate the protests on Monday.
“We join hands with our student leaders who addressed the media yesterday to call off tomorrow’s activity and return to the discussion table on this matter. Let us stay safe, and calm as we pursue this matter for an amicable solution and a resounding win for all comrades,” they said.
The leaders who said they are aware of plans by the government to form the committee to review the model said the terms of reference for the committee must be expedited so that the process begins as soon as possible.
“We urge that this goodwill is expedited so that short-term remedies can be considered while a commitment is put in place for the long-term solution to this problem,” they said.
“As leaders, we support the new approach but call on the government to facilitate the development of strict timelines and TOR for the committees’ workings.”
Comrades will not accept any complacency any more, let us fix it and move on as a country, they said.
At the same time, the students urged the government in consultation with universities’ leadership to cut down what they termed exorbitant cost of hostel accommodation and address strict fee deadlines.
