University students threaten nationwide strike over new funding model

Student leaders from universities across the country, including private institutions, are demanding the scrapping or amendment of the new university funding model, or they will paralyze learning in all universities across the country.

The students are also calling for a reduction of interest charged on higher education loans from 4% to 2%.

This comes a day after University of Nairobi students held demonstrations to protest the new university funding model.

If not fully scrapped, the students want the model amended, specifically to remove the last two bands which they say are punitive.

"We wouldn't have reached this point if not for the new funding model,” said Kabarak University student leader Evans Serem.

The students are criticizing the Means Testing Instrument (MTI) used to classify students into different funding categories, saying it is riddled with data inaccuracies and inadequate grading parameters.

"Comrades were not involved when they were formulating this new model... We must remind them that it's time they invite us to the committee table,” KU student leader Boniface Ododa noted.

They are also demanding to be included in the broad-based committee that President William Ruto promised to form in June to address outstanding issues with the new university funding model adopted by his government.

If these demands are not met, the students have threatened to stage nationwide university students' protests against the model on September 9, 2024.