Low-income families are set to bear the brunt of Kenya’s recently introduced education funding model. This was the resounding message from young Kenyans, including students, activists, and civil society organizations, who gathered at ActionAid Global Platform Kenya in Nairobi on October 30 to express their concerns.
The government’s new tiered funding model for university education has been widely criticized as punitive, with youth leaders calling for systemic changes to ensure education is free, equitable, quality, and accessible to all. This forum follows months of student-led protests under the banner of Fee Must Fall, challenging the financial barriers created by the new framework.
The current model has already exacerbated existing inequalities, disproportionately affecting students from low-income backgrounds who are struggling with precarious financial situations. Many now find higher education completely out of reach. The movement has demanded that education policies align with Article 43 of the Constitution, which enshrines free and compulsory education as a fundamental right for all.
“This model feels discriminatory,” said Fradina Makena, a Kenyatta University student and Campus Me Too movement member. “When the government was designing this framework, who did they consult? Many students say they can no longer afford university under the tier they’ve been placed in. We are the most affected, yet we weren’t even informed or engaged.”
Students shared heartbreaking accounts of being unable to pursue their desired career paths due to financial constraints. Many lamented that decision-makers shaping Kenya’s education policies appear disconnected from the realities of public education, as their children often attend private institutions.
Boaz Waruku of the Elimu Bora Coalition emphasized the need for public funds to prioritize education.
“The taxes collected by the government should translate into the provision of essential services, and education is foundational,” he said.
In a unified stance, young Kenyans called on the government to take immediate action, demanding the rejection of the current funding model and the establishment of a framework that guarantees free and quality education for all. They proposed consolidating existing education funds and aligning funding models with constitutional guarantees to uphold the right to equitable education.
ActionAid International Kenya joined in urging the government to heed this declaration, commit to meaningful reform, and dismantle barriers to education. It is only through bold, inclusive action that all Kenyan children can have the opportunity to pursue their dreams.