On March 1, Ezekiel Machogu, the cabinet secretary for education, denied rumors that tuition at universities had increased.
Machogu made it clear during a speech at Kabianga University’s 10th Anniversary celebration that the proposed price increase from the existing Ksh16,000 to Ksh52,000 was only an idea.
He hinted that although the ideas had been made at a conference of vice chancellors in Mombasa, the administration had not yet indicated how to proceed.
“The government has not increased university fees. All we did during the conference was that people were giving their views and I can confirm that we have not made a final decision,” Machogu clarified.
He further dismissed claims that the state would reduce funding for students who scored C+ and above in the 2022 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).
The Education boss maintained that the government would continue funding the students as it always had. He also addressed concerns over the privatisation of public universities.
“The government has never contemplated it because we are aware of the very important role that education plays in the socio-economic transformation of the country,” he stated
Parents’ worries about the fate of Grade Seven pupils who started junior secondary schools in February were allayed by Machogu in more ways.
He stated that in order to ensure a smooth transition, President William Ruto’s administration had provided schools with teachers, equipment, instructional materials, and money in the form of capitation.
After reading the address given by President Ruto, the CS said what he did. The Head of State promised to solve the financial difficulties that Kenya’s public universities were facing.
Days after news of the government raising college prices went viral, Machogu provided clarity. Both MPs and Kenyans were outraged by the charges.
The Ruto administration was charged with trying to restrict access to education to the wealthy by members of the public.
