Court to rule on Ruto's new university funding model today

Justice Chacha Mwita of the High Court will rule on a case filed by the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) last year; arguing that the model is unconstitutional and does not prioritise the needy students. 

Petitioners opposing the model cited that the new model has created confusion in selecting TVET courses as students face delays due to a lack of clear instructions from the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS). 

"The variable scholarship and loan funding model is arbitrary, obscure, expensive, undefined and illegality; an affront to the right to education as part of economic social rights," part of the petition reads. 

"The respondents have accordingly acted illegally and ultra vires in the implementation of the funding model to the detriment of hundreds of thousands of universities and TVET students and their families," the petition indicated. 

On October 3, 2024, the court issued orders temporarily halting the implementation of the model pending the determination of the case filed by KHRC, Elimu Bora Working Group and the Students' Caucus. 

"Conservatory orders are issued against the respondents, their servants, agents and employees from implementing the new education funding model, pending the hearing and determination of the petition," Justice Mwita ruled. 

The new model categorizes students into five bands based on their household income.

Instead of the previous funding model whereby the government provided a lump sum of funds to the universities, the new model allocates the funds based on one's needs through scholarships, loans and household contributions. 

The new model has, however, drawn mixed reactions with critics arguing that the project has failed to meet the expectations of students and the parents.