Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has condemned the government’s new university funding model, calling it discriminatory and harmful to the future of Kenyan youth.
In a 10-minute video posted on his X account on Monday, August 26, 2024, the lawmaker expressed his concerns over the categorization of students into funding bands, a system he believes is unfair and will lead to widespread dropout rates.
He pointed out that most students, after turning 18, do not have any means of financial support apart from their parents.
“The government has decided to put students in bands, and they are saying you can be in band one and pay less, and be in band five and pay more,” he said.
Adding;
“A person who has attained the age of 18 has no money, not employed unless he or she has inherited funds from well-off parents. How are you banding students? Therefore this university funding model is discriminatory. This is destroying lives; these students will drop out of school.”
Babu Owino did not hold back in his criticism of President William Ruto’s administration, urging the immediate repeal of the funding model.
He called on student leaders and their comrades to organize a nationwide demonstration to demand action from the government.
“Ruto should ban with an immediate effect this university funding model. I further plead with student leaders and comrades to set a date for a nationwide demonstration since Ruto has failed. He has refused dialogue. We must apply force,” Babu declared.
The MP also accused President Ruto of misleading the public about his own experience with student loans.
“He lied to us that he got HELB; he did not. What he got while as a student was BOOM, and it was a grant, not meant to be repaid,” he said.
Babu calls for demos
This comes barely a week after the MP called on students to take to the streets and protest against the funding model.
In a statement on his X account on Thursday, August 22, 2024, the lawmaker criticized the model, stating that it is preventing underprivileged students from access to education.
“Students should demonstrate against the new university funding model that is denying needy students access to education,” Babu stated.
Babu’s remarks came in response to Chief Justice Martha Koome’s criticism of the funding model.
Koome had earlier noted the challenges faced by students who, despite meeting the qualifications for university admission, are unable to afford the fees.
She pointed out that while taxpayer money is being allocated to various government officials for bursaries, many deserving students are left struggling.
“I stopped watching the news because of these depressing items that keep reminding us of how unequal we are as a society. A child who has qualified to go to university can be there crying because they cannot afford to join university,” Koome stated.
“Why won’t you put that money into education and make it free for all?” she said challenging the government.
Funding model band criteria
The new funding model provides financial assistance to students based on their family’s economic status. Students are divided into five income bands:
- Band 1: Families earning up to Ksh5,995 per month
- Band 2: Families earning up to Ksh23,670 per month
- Band 3: Families earning up to Ksh70,000 per month
- Band 4: Families earning up to Ksh120,000 per month
- Band 5: Families earning over Ksh120,000 per month
This structure ensures that students from lower-income families receive more substantial financial support, while those from higher-income backgrounds are expected to contribute more to their education costs.
