Ruto’s University Funding Committee Appointments Spark Criticism.
Concerns have been raised by university students regarding the committee’s composition and the selection criteria used for its members.
It has come to light that while most committee members are university students, several universities have no representation.
This has led to accusations of favoritism. Students have expressed frustration that some members are political activists associated with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), and one member is a university dropout currently working with a politician.
Among the universities that lack representation in the committee are:
- South Eastern Kenya University
- Pwani University
- Technical University of Mombasa (TUM)
- Masinde Muliro University
- University of Eldoret
- Kibabii University
- Kisii University
- Cooperative University of Kenya
Questioning the Selection Process
On Monday, President Ruto officially established the National Working Committee on the Review of the New University Education Funding Model through a Kenya Gazette notice.
This was in response to growing concerns from students and parents about the model’s fairness and effectiveness.
However, some students now argue that the selection process was not transparent, casting doubts on the committee’s ability to achieve its objectives.
There are concerns about the qualifications of certain members, with claims that political affiliations may have influenced their selection.
Student leaders from unrepresented universities have voiced their dissatisfaction, arguing that the process favors institutions like the University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, and the Technical University of Kenya.
Remmy Osoti, president of the Multimedia University of Kenya students’ union, stated that despite his university’s large student population, none of its leaders were included, labeling the process as unfair.
Involvement of Political Activists and Alleged Favoritism
Reports indicate that the students appointed to the committee were contacted for confirmation of their names before being added to a WhatsApp group.
Their names later appeared in a gazette notice signed by the President. This secretive approach has raised concerns among students.
A student leader questioned the committee’s inclusiveness, stating that transparency and wider representation are essential for real progress.
Carlos Abich, secretary-general of the Mount Kenya University Student Association, expressed further concerns, highlighting that one member of the committee is no longer a student.
He questioned how a university dropout, now involved in politics, could be part of a committee tasked with reviewing student funding. Abich stressed the need for transparency in the selection process.
“How can we justify selecting someone who dropped out of university and now aligns with politicians to influence decisions on student funding? Where is the transparency and authenticity in this process? We want to know the criteria that they used.”
Regional Discontent and Transparency Concerns
Allan Ochieng, president of the Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology students’ union, expressed frustration over the lack of representation for universities in Western Kenya.
He emphasized that the absence of clarity regarding the selection process casts doubt on the legitimacy of the committee’s decisions, with students in the region closely monitoring how universities with more representation will respond.
Elvis Owino, president of the Technical University of Mombasa, also criticized the lack of transparency, stating that many students were unaware of the committee’s formation until they heard about it through the media.
He pointed out that universities involved in the September 9th protests, such as the University of Nairobi and Kenyatta University, were excluded from the committee, raising questions about the motives behind these decisions.
Vincent Obondo, president of the Pwani University students’ union, condemned the underrepresentation of the Coast region.
He expressed dismay that out of 129 committee members, only one person was from the region. Obondo pledged to continue protesting, despite efforts to undermine their grievances.
Allegations of Bribery
Further controversy surrounds allegations that some students were paid to call off a planned strike. A student claimed that many of those selected met with the Ministry and received handouts, which raises concerns about transparency.
ALSO READ: University Unions Strike Looming as Talks with Government Collapse
This, according to the student, suggests a troubling influence over student advocacy and compromises the credibility of the appointments as well as the funding model under review.
Ruto’s University Funding Committee Appointments Spark Criticism.
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