NAIROBI, Kenya— Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has criticized the government’s New University Funding Model, arguing that the previous Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) system was effective and did not require changes.
Speaking from his Wamunyoro residence in Nyeri County on Sunday, Gachagua asserted that the shift in university financing has negatively impacted students, with many struggling to secure funding for their education.
Gachagua questioned the rationale behind replacing the HELB system, which he described as functional and reliable.
“The HELB funding programme was very good. But they changed it, yet it was working. The whites say if it’s working, don’t fix it,” he remarked.
He further claimed that since the rollout of the new model, he has been inundated with requests for fundraising assistance from students unable to afford university fees.
“Now, students are not getting funds as they used to. I have received so many requests for fundraising for university students,” he said.
Ruto’s Defense of the New Model
President William Ruto, the architect of the new university funding structure, has consistently defended the changes, arguing that they were necessary to bring transparency and sustainability to the education sector.
Under the new model, students are categorized into five financial bands based on family income.
Those in the lowest-income bracket receive full scholarships and higher loan allocations, while students from wealthier backgrounds get smaller subsidies and rely more on loans.
Legal Setback and Public Concerns
Despite the government’s justification, the High Court ruled in December 2024 that the new funding model was unconstitutional and discriminatory.
The court’s decision was based on claims that the model unfairly categorized students and did not guarantee equal access to education.
However, the government maintains that the policy is inclusive, allowing all students to apply for both scholarships and loans.
As the debate over university funding continues, students and parents remain caught in the middle, grappling with the uncertainty surrounding tuition financing.
