The students are expressing their disillusionment with the increase in tuition and accommodation fees under the new model, without participation by the varsity’s management.
Students from the University of Nairobi (UoN) have announced that they will stage ‘mega’ demonstrations on Monday, September 2, 2024.
In the latest move of opposition over the new university funding model put in place by the Kenya Kwanza administration, the UoN Students Association in a letter dated August 16 revealed that the students had grown fed up with continued abandoning by the President William Ruto-led administration.
The students are expressing their disillusionment with the increase in tuition and accommodation fees under the new model, without participation by the varsity’s management.
University of Nairobi towers. /FACEBOOK
“I write to you with a heavy heart, burdened by the persistent neglect of our needs. We have reached a breaking point, where we can endure no longer. The time has come for us to rise united and demand change,” UoN student President Madzao Rocha announced.
“On 2nd September 2024, we must come together for a mega demonstration to make our voices heard.”
The students are demanding that the university reduce its accommodation rates significantly before September.Â
Making known their struggles with high accommodation rates, they affirmed that they will not pay what they termed exorbitant fees of Ksh42,000 when the living conditions of the students remain deplorable.
“We demand a maximum fee of 15,000. Furthermore, we must reject the new funding model imposed upon us.
“Our education is not a commodity to be exploited for profit. Let us stand firm, let us stand together. Our perseverance has its limits, and that limit has been reached. It is time for action,” added the statement.
This comes amid widespread concerns from various stakeholders about the practicality of the new university funding model. Meanwhile, 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.Â
The Ministry of Education on Wednesday, August 21 instructed all universities to admit all qualified first-year university students unconditionally.
Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Julius Migosi Ogamba elaborated that all students who have qualified for university admission are guaranteed a place in their chosen institutions, irrespective of their ability to immediately pay the household contribution.
Julius Migos Ogamba, Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Education, during the Kenya Music Festival State Concert at the Eldoret State Lodge on August 16, 2024. /PCS