Members of Parliament have demanded that the government revokes the new model of funding university education.

There was uproar in the House yesterday with members saying the new system would lock out thousands of deserving students from public universities. Nyando MP Jared Okello said the new funding model would cause a national crisis.

“This is a matter that requires this House to give direction. Last week I was in the village and I received lots of students coming to my home with university admission letters. What was mind-boggling is the amount of money they are required to pay,” said Okello.

He said many students may end up missing out on university education.

Initially, students were eligible for capitation funds from the Ministry of Education to pursue university courses. This has since been scrapped and replaced with bursaries and scholarships.

 “This House has what it takes to bring back the capitation system,” Okello said.

Gilgil MP Martha Wangari said the new system should undergo public participation spearheaded by Parliament.

Minors

Amboko Milemba (Emuhaya) said the matter had created a desperate situation in the country.  He said the portal that students are supposed to use to apply for loans or scholarship was jammed and was not accessible.

“Another problem is that over 4,000 students who don’t have IDs cannot access yet there’s space where we could use parents’ IDs to get the loans,” said Omboko.

Leader of majority Kimani Ichung’wah said he will  be ask the Education Cabinet Secretary to ensure that no single student is denied admission to university on age or fees grounds.

Speaker Moses Wetang’ula directed the majority leader to table a statement on the matter this afternoon.