The High Court has issued a temporary injunction stopping the implementation of President William Ruto’s new higher education funding model.
This decision came on Thursday 3rd October 2024, following a petition filed by the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) alongside three other petitioners, which claims that the funding model discriminates against many students, particularly those from less privileged backgrounds.
In his ruling, Milimani High Court Justice Chacha Mwita noted that the case’s progression was hindered by delays from the government, specifically from Attorney General and Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, who were slow to file their submissions.
The petitioners, including the Elimu Bora Working Group, Boaz Waruku, and the Students Caucus, raised concerns that the funding model would effectively exclude thousands of students from accessing higher education.
They argue that this model violates the rights of Kenyan learners and limits opportunities for those from less affluent backgrounds.
The petitioners initially approached the court on 13th October 2023, seeking to halt the implementation of the new funding model, asserting that it does not adhere to the principles of inclusivity and equity in education.
They emphasized that while President Ruto has a mandate to enhance the education sector, he failed to follow proper due process when launching this model.
The court’s ruling has temporarily halted any further actions regarding the funding model until the matter is fully heard and determined, safeguarding the rights of students affected by the changes.