Following the widespread dissatisfaction with the new university funding model, students have now initiated plans to publicly show their disenchantment with the policy put in place by the Kenya Kwanza administration.
In a letter dated August 16, the University of Nairobi's Student Council issued a notice where it communicated its intention to rally its members to demonstrate on September 2, particularly on increased tuition and accommodation fees under the new model.
“On 2nd September, 2024 we must come together for a mega demonstration to make our voices heard,” read the official statement.
The students are expressing their disillusionment with the fees increase without participation by the varsity’s management.
Top of their demands is for accommodation fees to be lowered owing to the current hard economic conditions.
The students decry high cost of accommodation despite living in deplorable conditions. In effect, they demand accommodation fees to be lowered from the current Ksh42,000 per semester to Ksh15,000.
“The University of Nairobi's accommodation rates must be reduced significantly before September,” noted the statement failure to which, students will proceed with their planned demonstration.
“Furthermore, we must reject the new funding model imposed upon us. Our education is not a commodity to be exploited for profit.”
This comes amid widespread concerns from various stakeholders about the practicality of the new university funding model.
At the same time, student leaders from all universities have been invited to State House as the government looks to secure their support on the widely contested issue.
The new funding model has sparked confusion among students as they express their opposition to being assigned a band they don’t belong to.
Under the new model, there are five bands in which students are assigned depending on the financial capacity of their families.
It comes as Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos has instructed all public universities to admit students unconditionally, regardless of their immediate ability to pay required household contributions.
