Gospel musician and politician Reuben Kigame has launched a scathing attack on the government’s Competency-Based Education (CBE) framework.

Speaking on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, during an interview with a local TV station, Kigame accused the current education curriculum of dehumanising university students.

Kigame, who has since declared his interest in the 2027 presidency, recalled his own days in university alongside President William Ruto and former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i, saying both leaders know what it takes to run a proper higher education system.

“I believe that Ruto and Matiangi know what it takes for a university system to work. When we were in college, and we graduated the same year, the University Students Accommodation Board (USAB) was able to put up the facilities to accommodate all the students, and those who were not accommodated were given alternative arrangements,” Kigame said.

Students’ living and learning conditions

He contrasted the past with today’s situation, noting that students now face harsh living and learning conditions.

“We ate 3 full meals: breakfast, lunch, and in the evening. If I am lying, let anyone who went to Kenyatta University or the University of Nairobi tweet. That worked by then. So we should be asking, why are we punishing our children by giving them university conditions that treat them as animals?” he stated.

University students’ financial support

He also reminded Kenyans of the financial support students once enjoyed through the “boom” stipend, which he said enabled learners to live decently and focus on their studies.

“We even used to be given money, which was called ‘boom’, and it worked. 8-4-4 was introduced, and it also worked,” Kigame said.

Kigame further dismissed the new CBE model as unnecessary and exploitative, insisting that the government should improve the existing system instead of introducing reforms that make life harder for students.

“CBE is literal thievery; we don’t need a new system if the old one is not working,” he noted.