In a united front, student leaders from various universities have announced the cancellation of a planned demonstration set for tomorrow, opting instead for further dialogue with the government over the contentious new university funding model.
The leaders, both elected and non-elected, addressed the media today, emphasizing the need for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis in the education sector.
The crux of the unrest stems from the recent changes in the funding model, which has caused confusion and concern among students and parents alike.
According to the student leaders, a significant number of students have been miscategorized in the new model, leading to inflated household contribution requirements that many families cannot afford.
Additionally, some students have not been fully assessed under the new system, preventing them from enrolling in their respective universities.
While acknowledging the government’s efforts to address the situation, the student leaders called for the immediate formation of an inclusive committee, which would involve student unions, to reevaluate the funding model.
“Though the steps taken so far are not entirely satisfactory, the government’s willingness to include student representatives in reviewing the appeals process and rethinking the funding approach is commendable,” they stated.
However, they stressed the urgency of the matter, urging the government to expedite the process and establish strict timelines for the committee’s work.
“Comrades will not tolerate any further delays. We need to fix this issue and move forward as a nation,” the leaders added.
In addition to concerns about the funding model, the students also highlighted the rising costs of hostel accommodation and the inflexible fee deadlines imposed by some universities.
They called on the government and university administrations to reduce accommodation fees and allow students to spread out fee payments across the semester.
Despite planning demonstrations earlier, the student leaders have now taken a step back from protests, citing concerns over the mobilization of outsiders seeking to disrupt their peaceful cause.
They revealed intelligence suggesting the presence of politically motivated groups intent on infiltrating the protests, prompting them to reconsider their strategy.
“We believe that street demonstrations should only be a last resort. Given the progress made in discussions, and in the interest of student safety, we are calling off tomorrow’s demonstration,” said Ramesh Saxena, Secretary General of UNSA.
The student leaders urged their fellow comrades to remain calm and stay focused on the ultimate goal of securing a fair solution for all.
They reaffirmed their commitment to pursuing an amicable resolution through dialogue, while maintaining that they are prepared to take further action if necessary.
In closing, the leaders expressed their condolences to the families affected by the recent tragic fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County, which claimed several lives, and wished the survivors a speedy recovery.
The press conference was signed by several prominent student leaders, including Ramesh Saxena (UNSA), Zadock Nyakwaka (KU), Henry Odiwuor (Zetec University), Austin Onyango (KCA University), Adrian Oluoch (Chuka University), Dr. Ojwang (UoN), and others.
