Rights group slams Ruto for lying about court ruling on new university funding model
Education stakeholders have accused President William Ruto of misrepresenting a court ruling regarding the controversial new university funding model, which has faced significant opposition since its introduction.
The Elimu Bora Working Group (EBWG), a coalition of civil society organizations advocating for educational rights, has publicly challenged Ruto’s claims.
During a press conference at Sagana State Lodge on Monday, March 31, 2025, ahead of his Mt. Kenya tour, Ruto stated that the court had cleared the way for the new funding model.
“We have a new funding model it was taken to court, the court has now cleared to say it is the right model,” Ruto said.
However, on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, EBWG, in a statement supported by the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), refuted Ruto’s assertion, labeling it a lie.
“Ruto lied about court decision on university funding,” the EBWG statement declared, clarifying that the Court of Appeal had not overturned High Court Judge Chacha Mwita’s ruling, which deemed the funding model unconstitutional.
“Contrary to President William Ruto’s remarks at Sagana State Lodge on March 31, 2025, that the court of appeal found the new university funding model constitutional and lawful, the Elimu Bora Working Group (EBWG) clarifies that this was a misrepresentation of the court ruling,” the group stated.
“The court of appeal has not overturned high court judge Chacha Mwita’s judgement that declared this funding model unconstitutional, despite widespread misinformation from Ruto suggesting otherwise.”
EBWG clarified that the Court of Appeal’s ruling on March 26, 2025, only allowed the conditional implementation of the model pending the appeal’s final judgment.
They cautioned Ruto against commenting on the ongoing legal proceedings.
“Ruto must respect the separation of powers and refrain from interfering with ongoing judicial processes determining access to higher education,” EBWG asserted.
“According to the court of appeal, the appeal will be listed for a priority hearing in the second term of this year. No final decision has yet been rendered on the constitutionality of the funding model.”
The rights group emphasized that the court’s order was a temporary compromise arrangement, not a validation of the funding scheme, which they argue increases higher education costs, making university degrees inaccessible to many deserving students.
“This model fundamentally threatens the constitutional right to accessible education and reverses decades of progress toward educational equality in Kenya,” EBWG stated.
“The High Court correctly recognized these dangers when Justice Mwita declared the model unconstitutional on December 20, 2024. We wholeheartedly support this judgment and will continue to defend it through all available channels.”
EBWG also criticized the model’s implementation without proper public participation and its failure to address the needs of disadvantaged students.
They urged students to document any challenges faced under the system and prepare to utilize the mandated appeals mechanism.
“We call upon all progressive voices in Kenya’s education sector—students, parents, teachers, academics, civil society organizations, and concerned citizens—to join this crucial struggle for educational justice,” EBWG concluded.
About the new funding model
The new university funding model is designed to provide financial support based on a student’s economic background.
It categorizes students into five bands according to their family’s monthly income.
Band 1: For families with a monthly income up to Ksh5,995.
Band 2: For families with a monthly income up to Ksh23,670.
Band 3: For families with a monthly income up to Ksh70,000.
Band 4: For families with a monthly income up to Ksh120,000.
Band 5: For families with a monthly income above Ksh120,000.
Even though the new university funding model has been touted as a game changer, heated reactions have erupted as a section of Kenyans have complained that many needy students have found themselves wrongfully placed in fourth and fifth bands.
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