Students postpone protests to commemorate fire victims

As a sign of their condolences to the victims of the Endarasha fire, student leaders have called off the strike to allow for a period of respectful mourning.

Nevertheless, they have given the government a 30-day ultimatum, demanding immediate action to address their concerns about the controversial funding model.

They have threatened to demonstrate again if their complaints are not addressed within the specified deadline.

“Given the current climate and the political mobilization of groups that may disrupt our protests, it is best to continue dialogue and temporarily suspend our demonstrations,” said Zadock Nyakwaka, a student leader.

Claire Gathoga, a student at Kenyatta University, criticised the categorisation of the funding model and called for it to be reduced to three categories to ensure fairness.

“For reasons of fairness and transparency, the current categories must be simplified to three,” she said.

Kevin Marwa, a congressman from Kenyatta University, expressed concern over high loan interest rates, pointing out that medical students could accumulate debts of up to 1 million Kenyan shillings by the time they graduate.

“The interest rate of 4 percent is excessive, especially for students from low-income families with no job guarantee,” he complained.

Adrian Oluoch of Chuka University urged inclusive discussions and suggested involving parents and first-year students in the dialogue to either adapt or rethink the funding model.

“We need meaningful engagement to either revise the model or abandon it altogether,” he said.

David Karani of the Elimu Bora Working Group criticised the government's approach to public participation, saying: “The engagement prior to the implementation of this model was insufficient. Our challenge against it is still pending in court.”

In response to the concerns raised, CS Julius Ogamba has set up a committee to review and resolve the issues associated with the new financing model.