University students have decided to halt their planned protests following the government’s pledge to review the New Universities Funding model. The move comes after Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba announced the formation of two committees tasked with examining the current funding framework, a decision that has been met with cautious optimism by student leaders.
On Sunday, Ogamba revealed that the committees would be established within the week to address the issues surrounding the funding model that had sparked a wave of discontent among students. This announcement was a response to escalating strike threats from the student body, who were prepared to demonstrate against what they perceived as an inadequate funding system.
A faction of student leaders, including University of Nairobi Students Association Secretary General Ramesh Saxena, has expressed support for the government’s decision. In a joint statement, they emphasized their belief that street demonstrations should be a last resort, advocating instead for dialogue and constructive discussions. “We believe street demonstration is not the best route now unless we have no other options left,” said Saxena. The student leaders have decided to call off the protests initially scheduled for Monday to allow time for meaningful discussions with the government.
The decision to abandon the demonstrations was announced during a press briefing in Nairobi, attended by prominent student leaders from various universities. Among those present were Zadock Nyakwaka from Kenyatta University, Henry Odiwuor from Zetec University, Austin Onyango from KCA University, Adrian Oluoch from Chuka University, and Dr. Ojwang from the University of Nairobi. The leaders highlighted their commitment to finding a peaceful resolution to the issues at hand and urged their peers to remain calm and supportive of the dialogue process.
The student leaders, who also included non-elected officials, revealed concerns about potential disruptions to their planned protests. They claimed that there were reports of individuals being mobilized to infiltrate and potentially sabotage the demonstrations. Despite these concerns, the consensus among the leaders was to prioritize constructive engagement over confrontation.
In their statement, the students expressed a desire for the government’s efforts to be expedited. They called for the terms of reference (TOR) for the committees to be finalized quickly so that the review process can commence without delay. The leaders stressed the importance of addressing both short-term and long-term solutions to the funding challenges faced by universities.
“We urge that this goodwill is expedited so that short-term remedies can be considered while a commitment is put in place for the long-term solution to this problem,” the statement read. The student leaders emphasized that while they supported the new approach, they expected strict timelines and clear TOR for the committees’ work to ensure that progress is made swiftly.
In addition to the funding model review, the students also addressed other pressing issues. They called on the government to work with university leadership to reduce what they described as exorbitant costs associated with hostel accommodation. Additionally, they urged for more flexible fee deadlines to alleviate financial pressures on students.
The decision to call off the protests reflects a significant shift in the student body’s approach to addressing their grievances. By opting for dialogue over demonstrations, the students have demonstrated a willingness to engage constructively with the government. As the committees begin their work, both students and the government will be watching closely to ensure that the review process leads to meaningful improvements in university funding and overall student welfare.
