Chief Justice Martha Koome has expressed strong concerns about the new university education funding model, calling it discriminatory and potentially harmful to equity in higher education. She argues that if the current model is adopted, it could exacerbate inequalities among universities and adversely impact students.
CJ Koome has proposed a significant overhaul, suggesting that all existing bursary funds be consolidated into a single pool to make higher education free for all students. This call for reform comes as many prospective university students face uncertainty due to the new funding system.
According to Koome, the new model’s banding system, which categorizes students into different financial assistance bands based on self-reported family income, could lead to significant disparities. She highlighted the plight of students who qualify for university but are placed in a lower financial band, which could prevent them from affording their education.
The Ministry of Education’s Means Testing Instrument (MTI) is used to determine financial support based on students’ family income and other factors. However, Koome believes this approach might unfairly exclude needy students from accessing higher education.
In response to these concerns, Koome has suggested that merging all existing bursary funds—including those allocated by governors, women representatives, MPs, and MCAs—into a unified education fund could ensure that education is universally accessible.
Senior Counsel Martha Karua has also criticized the model, labeling it unconstitutional and prone to misuse. She argues that the government implemented the model without sufficient public consultation, which could undermine its legality and fairness.
Governors, including Nyeri’s Mutahi Kahiga, have echoed these concerns, pointing out that the government rushed to introduce the new funding model without adequate stakeholder engagement. Kahiga has called for a thorough review before the model is fully adopted, emphasizing the need for a more deliberate and inclusive approach.