Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei has called for fairness in the placement of university students under the government’s new funding model, saying reforms must reflect the realities of deserving Kenyan families.
Speaking during an interview on a local TV station on Monday, May 26, 2025, Sigei acknowledged that the new university funding model rolled out to ensure equity and efficiency in disbursing government support has not been without its flaws.
He emphasised that the intention of lawmakers is not to create policies that alienate Kenyans but to continuously improve systems for the benefit of all.
“It is not the intention of every leader here to do anything in parliament that will make Kenyans not enjoy being Kenyans,” Sigei said.
The Competency-Based Funding (CBF) model, introduced by the Ministry of Education in 2023, replaced the previous system that subsidised education uniformly.
Under the new model, students are categorised into bands based on their level of need: vulnerable, extremely needy, needy, and less needy, with funding allocated accordingly.
The approach was meant to target government resources to students from poor households, but it has sparked criticism over unclear criteria and inconsistencies in band placement.
Sigei expressed concern that some genuinely needy students were being misclassified, raising questions about how assessments are made.
“The new funding model has challenges… We will forever have challenges,” the senator admitted candidly.
He underscored that while no system is perfect, it is imperative that ongoing reforms are informed by real, lived experiences of Kenyan families, especially those struggling to educate their children amid economic hardship.
Asked what the remedy might be, Sigei did not hesitate:
“To have genuinely deserving students being placed in band one.”
Band one refers to the most vulnerable students, who are supposed to receive 100% government funding for tuition and accommodation. However, reports have emerged of deserving students being placed in lower funding bands, leaving parents and guardians grappling with financial strain.
Sigei’s comments add to growing pressure on the Ministry of Education and the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) to review the model and increase transparency in the assessment process. Some critics argue that the current model lacks a robust mechanism for appeal, leaving students without recourse when misclassified.
Education stakeholders have also raised concerns that the model may widen the gap between private and public university access. Wealthier families are able to absorb any cost gaps, while students from marginalised communities are left at a disadvantage if not appropriately categorised.
Despite the criticisms, Sigei struck a tone of cautious optimism, acknowledging that the shift in funding philosophy was necessary but requires continuous improvement.
“We must be bold to re-evaluate the system. No model will ever be perfect, but we owe it to the next generation to fix what we can, when we can,” he added.
The call comes amid ongoing clamour by student unions and civil society groups demanding a full audit of the funding model. Some have accused the government of using the new approach as a cost-cutting measure, while others argue it lacks a human-centred approach.
