Maraga slams scrapped university funding model as "poorly planned", says government acted without foresight

Former Chief Justice David Maraga has criticised the scrapped university funding model as “absurd” and poorly thought out, warning that it could have long-term consequences on students’ academic futures.

Speaking in Meru, Maraga said that despite the government reducing fees under the new structure, many students had already suffered setbacks that could take years to recover from.

He questioned the rationale behind the model, saying it had been introduced without adequate planning or consideration for students’ welfare. According to Maraga, such policy changes require careful thought, proper testing and thorough evaluation to prevent disruptions in the education system.

“What is happening is very interesting. Why did they change it in the first place? When you come up with a model that is going to change an existing system, the normal thing to do is to think it out clearly,” he said.

He argued that before introducing any new system, the government ought to ensure it is functional and effective, even conducting trial phases where necessary. Maraga said the previous funding approach, which was replaced just months ago, had created confusion and anxiety, especially among needy students.

He warned that some learners had already lost valuable time in their academic journeys and risked dropping out altogether due to the uncertainty caused by the transition.

“Some people missed out on their studies. They are going to lose years. Some might even drop out,” he said, describing the situation as a “catastrophe.”

The retired Chief Justice further criticised the government for appearing to act only in response to public pressure, noting that leadership should be guided by foresight and responsibility, not public outcry.

“It’s because we shouted that the government is now saying, ‘We will do this, we will do this.’ The government is not supposed to be prompted. It’s supposed to know what it’s supposed to be doing,” he said.

Maraga’s remarks come days after the government announced a significant reduction in tuition fees for all academic programmes in public universities, effective September 1, 2025. The new directive, issued by the Ministry of Education on July 31, applies to both first-year and continuing students.

The changes follow months of consultations with students, parents and stakeholders in the higher education sector. The revised fees are part of reforms under the Student-Centred Funding Model, which the government says will make university education more affordable and sustainable.

Higher Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala said the move aims to ease financial pressure on families while ensuring quality education in public universities.

“This bold step reaffirms our commitment to ensuring affordable, accessible, and quality university education,” she said in a letter to Vice Chancellors and Principals of Constituent Colleges.

She noted that the changes directly respond to concerns raised by students and their families regarding the high cost of university education. Universities have been directed to update their admissions and finance portals to reflect the new structure.

Under the revised framework, students will continue to receive support through a combination of tuition fees, scholarships, and student loans, determined by individual financial need. The ministry urged universities to implement the reforms efficiently and equitably.

“We count on your full cooperation to implement these financing reforms efficiently, equitably, and in the best interest of Kenyan students and families,” the ministry said.

The government described the fee adjustments as a landmark step aimed at positioning higher education as a key driver of national development. Thousands of students are expected to benefit from the lower tuition fees, easing the cost burden and enabling more Kenyans to access university education.

Under the revised university fee structure, tuition costs will now vary depending on the academic programme, with science-based and professional courses attracting higher charges compared to arts and humanities.

Students pursuing degrees in Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, and Pharmacy will pay between Sh12,343 and Sh75,000 per semester. Architecture courses will range from Sh12,960 to Sh57,888, while those studying Engineering or Surveying will pay between Sh14,256 and Sh57,024.

Learners in Built Environment and Design programmes—including Real Estate, Construction, Urban and Regional Planning, and Computing, will be charged between Sh12,960 and Sh51,840. Health-related courses such as Nursing, Clinical Medicine, and Medical Laboratory Sciences will cost between Sh14,400 and Sh57,600 per semester.

Programmes like Public Health, Radiography, Physical Therapy, Medical Psychology and Sport Science have been set at a fee range of Sh13,082 to Sh52,326. Students pursuing Food Science, Food and Nutrition will pay between Sh11,401 and Sh45,603.

Agriculture, Wildlife Science, and Natural Resource Management courses have been priced between Sh9,729 and Sh38,880. Applied Sciences and Education in Science and Technology disciplines, including Biochemistry, Biotechnology, and Technical Physics, will attract fees ranging from Sh11,628 to Sh46,512.

Basic Sciences such as Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, and Geography (BSc) will now cost between Sh10,659 and Sh42,636. Professional Arts programmes, including Law, Media and Communication, Hospitality, Music, and Interior Design, have been pegged at Sh9,690 to Sh38,760.

Meanwhile, students taking Business, Education (Arts), and Economics courses will pay between Sh7,525 and Sh30,101 per semester. Applied Humanities and Social Sciences, including courses such as Public Administration, BA in Music, Psychology and International Relations, will cost between Sh6,982 and Sh27,927.

The most affordable range applies to Basic Humanities and Social Sciences, programmes like History, Literature, Religion, Philosophy, Political Science, and Linguistics, where fees will now range from Sh5,814 to Sh23,256.