In a sensational move, CS Amina Mohamed approved a proposal tabled to her about the need to increase university fees from Ksh 16k to Ksh 48k.
The CS mentioned that a number of universities in the country were dealing with a serious shortage of funds, therefore, the fee hike was necessary to ensure that administrators were able to manage their respective campuses.
Speaking during the launch of new classrooms at Kakamega Township Secondary School on Sunday, February 24, Mohamed disclosed the proposal to increase university fees was already being deliberated on by various education stakeholders.
Commissioned 5 new classrooms at Kakamega Township Secondary School as @EduMinKenya continues to pursue #lastmile100 per cent transition from primary to secondary education. pic.twitter.com/80rLBdlUz1
— AMB.(Dr.) Amina C. Mohamed (@AMB_A_Mohammed) February 24, 2019
She opined that “A fee increase would help in addressing some of the challenges the universities are currently grappling with. There are ongoing consultations and the fees increase is one of the solutions suggested. But universities must also look for long-term measures to mitigate their financial difficulties.”
The institutions of higher learning had proposed the annual fees for government-sponsored students be increased from the current KSh 16,00 to KSh 48,000 per student, which translates to 110% hike.
Should the proposal sail through, universities would be expected to collectively raise some KSh 4.5 billion from the new levies. The institutions proposed the money would help them facilitate operations and finance development.