Students have continued to raise concerns over the new universities funding model, even as President William Ruto defended it.

During a town hall meeting at KICC in Nairobi on Sunday August 25, 2024, President Ruto addressed concerns about the new funding model for universities.

One of the questions the President was asked was, “Why the rush in implementing a model that has a lot of technicalities?” by Gichangi Gitonga ,Secretary General of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.

In his response, the Head of State said the old funding model had become a disaster and most of the public universities were bankrupt by the time he was getting into office.

He promised that the new model had been thoroughly tested by experts for 8 months and it will be helpful in elevating education to the next level.

In addition, president Ruto assured students that those who were placed in wrong categories should not worry as that would be corrected.

The President supported the banding system, within the funding model, saying it has existed since 1996. He also emphasized that improvements will be done since the model wasn’t perfect yet.

He added that every student will be admitted to universities as the government will provide money to fund their studies.

On the other hand, Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka declared that the new university funding model is a disaster that is characterized by corruption.

Kalonzo made the remarks on Sunday  while addressing large crowds at Githurai roundabout in Nairobi. 

The Wiper party leader added that he will mobilize Kenyans from all over the country to reject the higher education funding model.

“We will mobilise this country to say No! to this corrupt higher education funding model,” said Kalonzo.