Blow To Gov't As Court Suspends New University Funding Model

The High Court temporarily stopped the implementation of the new university funding model.

Justice Chacha Mwita issued a ruling to suspend the model pending the hearing of a lawsuit filed by the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) in 2023.

The judge highlighted that the case had been delayed because the Attorney General, Education Cabinet Secretary, and the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) failed to respond promptly.

KHRC, along with the Elimu Bora Working Group, Boaz Waruku, and the Students Caucus, had filed the lawsuit on October 13, 2023, arguing that the funding model would exclude thousands of students from receiving financial aid.

The case is set to be heard on December 16, 2024, with the parties expected to present their arguments.

The university funding model, which categorizes students into five financial bands using a Means Testing Instrument (MTI), has sparked widespread debate.

Critics claim the model is ineffective and raises concerns about its ability to address current challenges in the education system.

Some argue the government should have improved the previous model instead of introducing a new, more complicated version that may disadvantage students.