Azimio has demanded alterations to the new university funding model, asserting that it has dashed the hopes of numerous students who missed out on university placements.
In a statement, National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi, the National Assembly Minority leader highlighted that a staggering 600,000 students did not apply via the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) portal, owing to inadequate information about the new model. This he said, prompts a relook at the entire program.
Wandayi urged the KUCCPS to immediately reopen its portal for a third review to enable students to apply.
The opposition also criticised the fee structures of Kenyan public universities, deeming the costs that parents are expected to bear for a single year as exorbitant.
"Kenyans have further noted with shock and dismay the hefty fees and bloated fees structures from Kenyan public universities. That it will cost a Kenyan household through a government sponsored Bachelor of Pharmacy programme in Maseno University Ksh428,000 and Ksh336,000 in JKUAT for an engineering course a year is outrageous," the statement read in part.
While deconstructing the model, Azimio observed that the new classification had strategically placed 29 percent under the "Vulnerable and Very Needy" category.
This categorisation qualifies them for 100 per cent support through scholarships and loans, thereby leaving the majority to grapple with substantial student loans and parental financial burdens.
Under the novel financing model, students receive grants and loans based on their financial needs, segmented into categories: "Vulnerable," "Less Vulnerable," and "Able."
Within this framework, the government offers full scholarships to students classified as "Vulnerable," relieving their parents from any financial obligations.
For students classified as less vulnerable, the government will contribute up to 53 per cent while issuing a 40 per cent loan. Those opting for TVET institutions within this category will be eligible for a 50 per cent scholarship alongside a 30 per cent loan.
In contrast, university-bound students with lower financial needs will be granted scholarships covering 38 per cent of their educational costs, accompanied by loans of 55 per cent.
According to Wandayi, this strategy unduly shifts the responsibility onto parents through the imposition of expensive loans.
"These are the same parents that are struggling with the huge tax burdens that the disgraced Finance Act 2023 has yoked on their shoulders. Under the previous model, the government was expected to meet 80 per cent of the college fees while parents were to meet 20 per cent," he said.
"We are told the new Model is informed by the failure of government to meet its 80 per cent obligation. Begs the question, is the remedy improving government commitment or is it to throw the entire burden to the youth and poor households?"
The end result, according to Wandayi, will be jobless graduates or college dropouts who have incurred loans at interest rates that are yet to be disclosed.
"From the foregoing, it is clear that the Kenya Kwanza Government is keen on taking any short cuts in sight as long as there are profits and as long as it can be passed conveniently as a lie to unsuspecting Kenyans," he added.
The opposition demanded the government to halt the new funding model and revert to the old model which he argued can be better if improved.
