Student Leaders Reject Ruto’s University Model at State House: Cash and controversy
A recent meeting at State House involving over 100 university student leaders failed to secure their endorsement of President William Ruto’s new higher education funding model.
The session, which reportedly ended with attendees receiving a Sh25,000 “facilitation” fee, sparked further controversy, particularly over the classification of students for university scholarships and loans under the new system.
However, State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohammed confirmed the meeting, but denied knowledge of any payments to attendees.
Five-hour discussion
The meeting, held on August 21, lasted five hours and involved student leaders from various universities. It commenced at 4 p.m. and concluded around 9 p.m., with top government officials in attendance, including President Ruto, Higher Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala, and Interior PS Raymond Omollo.
Despite the high level of attendance, the meeting’s results were unsatisfactory for many students. Evans Serem, Vice President of Kabarak University Students’ Association, was among the few who mentioned the event on social media.
Notably, the State House and President Ruto did not share any details or photographs from the meeting on their official social media accounts, although images of student leaders posing at the event surfaced online.
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The State House meeting followed an earlier one at the Kenya School of Government, which also ended inconclusively. Both meetings addressed the contentious university funding model introduced by the Kenya Kwanza administration.
The secrecy surrounding the State House meeting was notable, with many vice chancellors unaware of their students’ invitation to the event. Despite some sources suggesting a careful selection of attendees, those who participated openly voiced their concerns, with none supporting the funding model.
Student Concerns
Student leaders expressed strong opposition to the new funding model. Justice Mutuma, Egerton University Students Secretary General, expressed concern about the model being punitive, particularly for students in Band 1, who receive the highest level of government funding.
He noted that while Band 1 students pay Sh9,000 per semester, they would accumulate over Sh1 million in loans by the time they graduate.
Gitonga Gichangi, the Secretary General of JKUAT Students, echoed these concerns, arguing that the model’s hasty implementation warrants a gradual phase-in instead of a sudden one. He also criticized the timing of the model’s rollout, given the high cost of living.
Understanding the New Funding Model
The government’s new higher education funding model categorizes students into bands based on family income. The model determines the level of government support and the loan amount that students are eligible for.
PS Inyangala explained that Band 1 is for students from families earning up to Sh5,995 monthly and receives the highest government support. Band 2 covers families with incomes up to Sh23,670, Band 3 up to Sh70,000, Band 4 up to Sh120,000, and Band 5 includes those with incomes above Sh120,000 who receive the least support.
The table below summarizes the new funding model:
| Band | Monthly Family Income | Government Scholarship | Loan | Family Contribution | Upkeep Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band 1 | Up to Sh5,995 | 70% | 25% | 5% | Sh60,000 |
| Band 2 | Up to Sh23,670 | 60% | 30% | 10% | Sh55,000 |
| Band 3 | Up to Sh70,000 | 50% | 30% | 20% | Sh50,000 |
| Band 4 | Up to Sh120,000 | 40% | 30% | 30% | N/A |
| Band 5 | Above Sh120,000 | 30% | 30% | 40% | N/A |
complaints and future actions
Despite the government’s assurances, numerous students have expressed dissatisfaction over their placement in inappropriate bands that do not accurately represent their financial circumstances.
In response to these concerns, President Ruto and the Ministry of Education recently ordered universities to recall and reissue letters detailing the accurate fees for students.
During the State House meeting, some student leaders reported that the Ministry of Education appeared unresponsive to feedback on the new model.
According to an anonymous source, the president blamed the media for negative coverage and delegated specific questions about the funding model to ministry officials and the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB).
Unsatisfied with the meeting’s outcome, some government officials indicated plans for another town hall meeting with university students, though many student leaders expressed doubts about its necessity.
In line with a notice from the University of Nairobi Students Association, a university student governing council member who attended the State House meeting warned of a potential strike beginning on September 9.
Official Responses
When asked about the meeting, State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohammed stated that the discussion focused on the state of university education and the new funding model.
He clarified that the event was part of a broader series of engagements with student leaders, who are considered primary stakeholders in these discussions.
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Mohammed emphasized that students would have a greater role in formulating policies related to university education moving forward. He also dismissed claims of students receiving Sh25,000 payments after attending the meeting.
In a related development, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos declared the receipt of 134,029 applications for loans and scholarships, and the release of funds to meet these needs.
Student Leaders Reject Ruto’s University Model at State House: Cash and controversy
