Return to old funding model, KUPPET urges state amid student complaints

The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has urged the government to revert back to the old university funding system, claiming the new model has failed to deliver on its promises.

In a press conference in Nairobi on Thursday KUPPET Deputy Sec-Gen Moses Nthurima said that the courts had pronounced themselves on the matter and that a reversal is the only feasible way for Kenyans to access capitation.

"The new university funding model is unfeasible because the courts have pronounced that it failed to reach the requisite threshold in public participation as outlined in the constitution," said Nthurima.

He further added that the model was now in limbo, calling on the government to apply the old model for students to access capitation.

KUPPET's remarks come barely a day after The Universities Fund and the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) filed an appeal against Justice Chacha Mwita's ruling that declared the new funding model unconstitutional.

"This new funding model was introduced after thorough public consultation. It was designed to promote equity and fairness by enhancing cost-effectiveness and efficiency in the higher education sector. Its termination is therefore a huge blow to us," argued Universities Fund CEO John Monari in his affidavit.

According to the University of Nairobi Student Association (UNSA) President Rocha Madzao, most students have yet to resume their classes despite the official resumption date being on January 6, 2025.

"Most of our colleagues are yet to report to school because of the lack of fund disbursement occasioned by HELB's delay over the past two weeks. We cannot continue like this," he said calling on students to show up in large numbers for a demonstration this Friday.

HELB's acting CEO, Mary Muchoki however claimed that their hands are tied as the ruling suspends HELB's activities in financing university education across the country.

"Our higher learning institutions are at risk of imminent and indefinite closure if this ruling is not reverted," she stated in her affidavit.

Due to the urgency of the matter, the court has ordered it to be heard by a three-judge bench to be appointed by the President of the Court of Appeal.