President William Ruto’s administration has faced a significant setback in its efforts to reform higher education after the High Court temporarily suspended the implementation of the new university funding model.
In a ruling delivered on October 3, 2024, Justice Chacha Mwita ordered the suspension of the model, pending the hearing and determination of a case filed by the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) last year. The judge expressed concern over delays by the Attorney General, Education Cabinet Secretary, and the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) in submitting their responses, leading to the prolonged wait for justice.
The case, initially filed on October 13, 2023, by KHRC, in collaboration with the Elimu Bora Working Group, Boaz Waruku, and the Students Caucus, challenges the funding model, arguing it will prevent thousands of students from accessing critical financial support.
The court has scheduled the hearing of submissions for December 16, 2024.
The new university funding model has been the subject of debate since its introduction. It categorizes students into five financial need bands using a Means Testing Instrument (MTI), which assesses factors like family background and monthly income to determine the level of assistance each student qualifies for.
Critics, however, argue that the model is impractical and does little to address the pressing issues within the education system. Some have questioned why the government didn’t improve the previous funding model, instead of rolling out a new version that many believe creates additional challenges for students seeking higher education.
