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University students plan demos over delays in funding


A section of student leaders has criticised the new funding model for universities and colleges recently proposed by the government.

They claim their efforts to get an audience with Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu to air their grievances have so far been unsuccessful, leaving them with the option of demonstrating.

The government’s delay in releasing funds for first-year students has also escalated the situation, forcing them to call for a peaceful demonstration on November 2-3, 2023.

In a statement, Jerry Ayieko Bade, a student leader at Maasai Mara University, questions the government’s unwillingness to sit down with the students, who are the stakeholders.

“We’re not playing around here; we are giving an ultimatum of one day for the ministry to release the funds to our institutions and to free up Helb loans for our students. If they choose not to heed to this call, mark your calendars because we’re hosting a grand peaceful demonstration extravaganza on November 2 in various regions around the country,” vowed Ayieko.

He accused unnamed government officials of going back on a promise to release funds for students last month.

His sentiments have been echoed by Peter Odhiambo, who is the president of the Student’s Association at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology.

Mr Odhiambo said the student leadership from various universities in the country was left out during the negotiations on the new funding model.

Also, the students said that TVET institutions should be included in the new funding model in any engagement going forward.

“They are secluded and at the top there they are always engaged in those informative discussions,” Odhiambo said.

Kinya Stephs, who is the student’s secretary-general at Embu University said that their colleagues in universities are suffering due to the delayed funds, and the increased university fees.

“Students are coming to our offices crying, some of them are sleeping angry because they don’t have anything. What we want is the government to listen to us as they incorporate this new funding model,” Kinya said.

In the new funding model, equal opportunities will be given to students from humble backgrounds, hence allowing them to access universities, and vocational education in TVET.

The funding model will be determined by the choice of the programme, household income band, affirmative performance, and the government’s priority areas.

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