Karua wants new university education funding model dropped

Narc Kenya Party leader Martha Karua has called on President William Ruto to abolish the new university funding model and revert to the previous system of financing higher education.

Speaking at a media briefing at the party's headquarters in Nairobi, Karua accused Ruto’s administration of mismanaging the education sector, which she claimed is on the brink of collapse.

"The government of President Ruto is playing with fire in its systematic dismantling of education at all levels," Karua asserted.

"This administration has pursued poorly conceived reforms, broken election promises, ignored court orders, intimidated critics within public universities, disregarded Collective Bargaining Agreements with lecturers, and failed to support students from low-income backgrounds. All of these actions are pushing the education system toward collapse, with severe consequences for future generations."

Karua highlighted the challenges facing early childhood education across the country, citing a lack of infrastructure and adequately trained teachers. She also emphasized that unresolved issues surrounding teacher recruitment continue to affect secondary education.

She was joined by former Makueni Governor Professor Kivutha Kibwana, former Mukurweini MP Kabando wa Kabando, Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi, and other leaders. Kibwana expressed concern over the rising costs of education, contrasting it with his own university experience.

“During our time, the government provided financial support to students,” Kibwana recalled.