The Azimio la Umoja coalition has demanded that the Kenya Kwanza administration halt the new university funding model.
In a statement on Tuesday, August 8, National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi said the government should instead improve models that have been tried and tested that will support all students across the country.
“We demand that the Kenya Kwanza Government halts forthwith the new Funding Model and improves on the tried and tested models that support youths of this country access the all-important university/college education,” said Wandayi.
The Ugunja MP noted that the new funding model has created confusion and dashed the hopes of the majority of students who sat for their KCSE exams in 2022.
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Wandayi pointed out that many students will struggle to pay off loans in the new model and might drop out of university.
“It is official that those who do not fall under Vulnerable and Needy categories will meet up to 62% of the cost of their studies as government conveniently carries 28% of the cost. These are the same parents that are struggling with the huge tax burdens that the disgraced Finance Act 2023 has yoked on their shoulders,” he added.
The National Assembly Minority leader also demanded that the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) reopens its portal for a third review to give a chance to the students who missed out on applying for University and TVET courses.
He further mentioned that over six hundred thousand students who sat for the KCSE examination in 2022 have not applied to join university and the government cannot account for them.
This comes days after Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu launched a new university and TVET funding website, which is under the university funding model.
CS Machogu noted that students who require funding must make a formal application in the portal.
“Students who require funding must make formal application through Higher Education Financing portal, accessible at www.hef.co.ke,” Machogu stated.
