Maraga: Ruto’s varsity reforms will cripple education sector
By William Muthama, August 3, 2025Former Chief Justice David Maraga has strongly criticised the government’s new university funding model, warning it could cripple the education sector and push thousands of students out of school.
Speaking at a press briefing on Sunday, 3 August 2025, Maraga said the government’s approach lacked proper planning and would worsen the financial burden on students.
“What is happening is very interesting,” he said. “Why did they change it even in the first place? Ask yourself, why did they change it in the first place? When you come up with a model that is going to change an existing system, the normal thing to do is to think it out clearly. Make sure the system you are introducing is going to work for the people.”
Students at risk
The former CJ expressed concern that the reforms would result in many young Kenyans dropping out of school due to lack of fees and support. He called the unfolding crisis a national catastrophe and warned of long-term consequences.
“You don’t just come when you find yourself in problems, and you are doing other things hings subversively. That’s not how things are run,” he said.
“Some of the young people who have missed going to class in their studies they are going to lose several years. Some of them might even drop out. And that is a catastrophe,” Maraga added.
Gov’t not listening
The government has come under growing pressure from civil society, student unions and religious leaders to review the controversial funding formula. Many have faulted it for favouring a minority while leaving vulnerable learners behind.
Maraga noted that recent government pledges to review the model only came after sustained public pressure.
“You can see it is because we shouted, we said, look, what is the government doing? Now the government is coming back and saying, look, we will do this, we will do this, we will do this. The government is not supposed to be prompted, it’s supposed to know what it’s supposed to do,” he said.
The new model replaced the Differentiated Unit Cost (DUC) system and introduced a categorised funding structure—where only students classified as vulnerable or extremely needy get full government sponsorship.