A coalition of university student leaders in Kenya has temporarily suspended planned demonstrations against the government’s new higher education funding model in response to the tragic fire at Endarasha School. The suspension comes as the nation mourns the students who lost their lives in the devastating blaze.

Led by Rocha Madzao, President of the University of Nairobi Student Association, the student leaders condemned the Ministry of Education for failing to ensure safety in schools. “It is sad that such incidents are still happening in this century. We mourn as comrades alongside Kenyans,” Rocha said, expressing deep sorrow over the deaths.

While the primary focus of the leaders’ statements was on the Endarasha tragedy, they also criticized the newly introduced university funding model. Rocha stated that the new system excludes many needy students from financial support, jeopardizing their education. He emphasized that although protests were suspended to respect the mourning period, they would resume once the country had grieved appropriately.

“We urge those being sent home due to lack of fees to contact us. We will liaise with their respective universities to address the matter once and for all after the mourning period,” Rocha added.

Naomi Chebet, President of the Kenya Methodist University Student Association, echoed Rocha’s concerns and called for the government to abolish the new funding model. Chebet argued that the previous system, despite its shortcomings, was still better than the current approach, which she described as “impractical.”

“If the old funding model was unsustainable, then the new one is impractical,” she stated. Chebet criticized the government for ignoring the concerns of student leaders, despite multiple meetings with the Ministry of Education and the President. She confirmed that student protests against the new model would resume after the mourning period for the Endarasha victims.

The government’s new higher education funding model, which categorizes students into four groups—vulnerable, extremely needy, needy, and less needy—has sparked widespread controversy. Critics, including student leaders, argue that many deserving students are left out, particularly those from middle-income families who struggle to afford higher education but do not qualify for significant government assistance.

Concerns have also been raised about the implementation of the model, with accusations of inefficiency and insufficient consultation with key stakeholders. As student leaders prepare to resume their protests, they remain steadfast in their demand for a more inclusive and effective funding system for all Kenyan students.

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