'It's discriminatory': CJ Koome faults new university funding model, urges shift to free education

Chief Justice Martha Koome has taken issue with the new university education funding model, terming it discriminatory.

The CJ says if the current model is implemented as is, there will be a serious inequality gap in the universities and has called for a review of the whole structure.

Koome now suggests that all bursaries be collapsed into one to make education free for all, as the fate of thousands of learners set to join universities for their higher learning remains in limbo and confusion continues to reign in the new university funding model.

She says the new model will trigger an unprecedented inequality in the institutions of higher learning.

"That a child who has qualified to go to the university can be there crying, saying I have been put in Band 5 when I ought to be in Band 1 and therefore I cannot afford to go to the university,” Koome said.

The Ministry of Education used the Means Testing Instrument (MTI) to determine the appropriate financial assistance each learner deserves based on self-generated information on their family background, including monthly income. However, the disparity and unfairness occasioned by the banding threaten to lock needy and vulnerable learners from accessing higher education.

CJ Koome says education can be better managed if all bursaries are collapsed into one fund to finance education for all.

"There’s a bursary fund from the taxpayers’ money given to the governor, women rep, given to the MP through CDF and MCA. All those bursaries, how are they disbursed? Why don’t you put them in education and make education free for all,” she added.

Senior Counsel and Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua termed the model as unconstitutional and open to manipulation. According to Karua, no or little public participation was done before the government embarked on the new funding model, which was hurriedly implemented.

"This model, if implemented without public participation, will be unconstitutional... it is denying countless young Kenyans the chance to better their lives,” said Karua.

Governors are also raising concerns over the implementation of the model.

Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga says the government was quick to introduce the new funding model without involving all stakeholders.

"This government is in a rush to bring new things, from SHIF now the funding model... even if they say it will be good, let us first set it aside so that we can keenly look at it all around,” Kahiga noted.

As of now, the Ministry of Education has directed all university heads to admit all learners as it prepares to release funds to schools, although it’s not clear how these learners will be accommodated or fed without financial allocations.