Kenya’s Auditor General has raised alarm over glaring flaws in the country’s university funding model, accusing it of failing to deliver on fairness and accountability.
In a recent report, the Auditor General revealed that some students who had deferred their studies, or were not placed in any university at all, still received government funds. At the same time, deserving students were left without support.
“The current system is deeply flawed. It has allowed ineligible students to access funds while others who need them most have been excluded,” the Auditor General said in a statement to Parliament.
The revelations are likely to add pressure on the Ministry of Education, which has been under fire for its handling of university funding. Education officials have previously defended the system, saying that reforms are underway to address gaps and ensure that resources are distributed more fairly.
University student leaders have also expressed outrage. “This is a betrayal of thousands of students who cannot afford fees,” said Joseph Mutua, a student representative from the University of Nairobi. “We need a funding model that is transparent and responsive to actual student needs.”
The government’s funding framework, introduced to improve access to higher education, has faced criticism in recent years for failing to keep pace with rising enrollments and the financial struggles of universities. Experts now warn that the findings could fuel calls for a complete overhaul of the financing scheme.
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