GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 11818

WHEREAS, education is the foundation upon which a nation builds its most invaluable asset, its people, through: nurturing intellect, fostering critical thought, and shaping the capacities that are essential for leadership, innovation, and societal advancement; WHEREAS, Higher Education is a key driver of our national development agenda through advancing knowledge, catalyzing research and innovation, and forging human capital that meets the evolving needs of our society and economy; WHEREAS, since the dawn of the Republic, various policies have been instituted to expand access to quality, relevant and affordable university education in recognition of its role as a pillar of national progress and development. WHEREAS, as part of these interventions, the Presidential Working Party on Education Reform (2023) proposed a transformative model to revitalize the financing of Higher Education; heralding a new direction in the equitable provision of university education; WHEREAS, the New Funding Model for Universities and Technical, Vocational Education and Training Institutions (TVETs), launched in May 2023, aspires to provide equitable access to Higher Education through a needs-based system of scholarships and loans; with student eligibility being determined by a Means Testing Instrument (MTI); WHEREAS, there is increasing concern about the effectiveness of the Means Testing Instrument in terms of inconsistency in costing methodologies for university programmes, which calls for a unified approach to foster trust and ensure fairness; WHEREAS, our National Values and Principles of Governance require all public entities to utilize inclusive and participatory processes when making or implementing public policy decisions; and WHEREAS, there exists a profound public interest in instituting a framework to critically assess both the overarching cost structure of University Academic Programmes as well as the emerging financing model, in order to realize the collective aspiration for enhanced access to quality, relevant and affordable university education. NOW Therefore, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander in Chief of the Defence Forces, in exercise of the powers conferred upon me by the Constitution and the Statute Laws of the Republic of Kenya, do order and direct: I. THAT the National Working Committee on Review of the New University Education Funding Model is hereby established. II. THAT the Committee shall comprise the following four Workstreams/ sub-committees: II.I The Workstream on the Review and Refinement of the New Funding Model for Universities and Technical, Vocational Education and Training Institutions (TVETs); II.II The Workstream on Appeals arising from the categorization of students into various eligibility bands for allocation of Scholarships and Loans; II.III The Workstream on Structure of Student Loans; and II.IV The Workstream on the Review of the cost of University Academic Programmes. III. THAT the Chairpersons and Co-Chairpersons of the Workstreams shall constitute the coordination Board of the Committee for the New University Education Funding Model, as follows: Japheth Micheni Ntiba (Prof.) — Chairperson Members: Chairpersons and Co-Chairpersons of the four workstreams Joint Secretaries: Lead Joint Secretaries from the four Workstreams. IV. THAT the Workstream on the Review and Refinement of the New Funding Model for Universities and Technical, Vocational Education and Training Institutions (TVETs) shall be constituted as follows: Karuti Kanyinga (Prof.) — Chairperson Dibora Zainab Hirbo — Co-Chair 10:34 AM THE KENYA GAZETTE 16th September, 2024 3628 3628 Members: Mogesi R Maroa, Vincent Tarus, Ignatius Kiptoo Ruto, Tracey Nyaboe Morara, Ubah Abdi Hussein, Felix Ochieng, Ferdinand Awuonda, Philip Nyayo Ivutha, Abdikassim Mohamed, Phostine Wandera, Fidel Wandiga, Solomon Ndundi Alfred, Elizabeth Waigwe Wanjiku, Faith Wanjiku Kamau, Ruth Mwikali Mwangangi, Stephen Odebero, Kibibi Ndope, Jared Osoro, Constantine Wasonga Opiyo, Emmanuel Manyasa, Caroline Waithera, Richard Kipkoech, Jared Ongaro, Eunice Kigen, Martin Muluka, Nicholas Wasonga Orago, Paul Waweru, Joseph Rotich, Syrus Mutuku, Peter Alingo, Joint Secretaries: Moses Njeru Mbaruku, Jemima Onsare, Secretariat: Diana Mutisya, Alex Kibet, V. THAT the Workstream on Appeals arising from the categorization of students into various eligibility bands for allocation of Scholarships and Loans shall be constituted as follows: Walubengo Waningilo — Chairperson Lucy Machugu — Co-Chair Members: Ronald K. Cheruiyot, Elisha Ochieng Oyugi, Raphael Oguk, Ramesh Saxena, Gorffly Mokua, Evans Kipkorir Serem, Gitonga Gichangi, Calvin Juma, David Kisindai, Harrison Nganga Muiruri, Ruth Wamuhu Njiu, Wainaina Gichere, Loyan Kimanthi Micheni, Samuel Jackinda Obilo, James Magoka, Emily Ntinyari, Moses Ambani, Josiah Munene, Martin Oleche, Joyce Mutinda, Romanus Odhiambo, Michael Kibet Kibiriti, Khaemba Ongeti, Wangeci Catherine, Phylis Mutua, Joint Secretaries: Margaret Campbell, Allan Chacha, Secretariat: Darius Mogaka, Kingori Ndegwa, VI. THAT the Workstream on Structure of Student Loans shall be constituted as follows: Robert Oduor Otieno — Chairperson Aron Kiprotich Bett — Co-Chair Members: Nabangi Alex Wanyonyi, Pascal Juma, Bill Clinton, Fatuma Boku Marsa, Kipkorir Brian, Bonface Ododa, Boaz Gori Onserio, Erick Ochieng, Dismas Kiptoo, Paul Wathuta Kiragu, Joseph Tioko, Ohanga Grace Wangare, Salome Thinguri, Jane Nyagaturi Mbatia, Bernard Kiprono, Arnold Munene Njoka, Grace Chitayi Nyongesa, Charles Njoroge Mbau, Joint Secretaries: Tiberius Barasa, Clarise Osore, Secretariat: Geoffrey Monari, Emmanuel Abook, VII THAT the Workstream on the Review of the Cost of University Academic Programmes shall be constituted as follows: Mohamed S. Rajab (Prof.) — Chairperson Patrick Malanga — Co-Chair Members: Rehema Josphine, Melodie Wairimu, Vincent Kipkorir, Evanson Muchanga, Oketch Solomon, Francis Omondi, Don Ochieng, Elvis Odiwour, Njoroge Wanjohi, Stephen Kabiri, Maureen Cherono, Philomena Nthenya, Mutethia Stephen Isaiah, Abed Mureithi, Okech Abagi, Janet Ouko, Samuel Nthenge, John Mutinda Mutiso, Charles Mukwaya, David Njoroge, Daniel Mugendi, Farhiya Jehon Ali, Henry Mutembei, Robison Kigen, John Njera, Jennifer Chebet, Denis Mwiti Kaburu, Rosemary Bowen, Carren Agengo, Gerald Ouma, Isaac Litali, 16th September, 2024 THE KENYA GAZETTE Joint Secretaries: Mathew Rotich, Joseph Musyoki, Secretariat: Agnes Mercy Wahome, Josphat Nzuki, VIII. THE TERMS OF REFERENCE of the National Working Committee are as follows: (a) To review the efficacy of the New Funding Model in fostering access to quality and affordable university/higher education; (b) To appraise the implementation of the New Funding Model for KCSE 2022 and KCSE 2023 candidates who were placed in public and private universities and TVETs; (c) To evaluate the effectiveness of the Means Testing Instrument (MTI) in ensuring that the categorization of students captures their socio-economic realities; (d) To assess the effectiveness of the appeals mechanism in the resolution of student categorization concerns and/or challenges in relation to the bands for access of scholarships and loans; (e) To establish the potential of the New Funding Model to steer the Nation towards the sustainable funding of Public Universities and TVETs; (f) To analyse and make recommendations for the rationalization of the cost of university programs and mobilization of the requisite resources for funding university education; (g) To review the structure of student loans with regard to the terms of the loans, including current interest rates, penalties and repayments periods, considering post-graduation employment and work prospects and incomes. IX. In the performance of its mandate, the Committee shall: (a) Report to and be accountable to the President through the Cabinet Secretary for Education; (b) Consult with stakeholders in the education sector including industry players, associations and lobby groups, regulators and Government agencies, and any other person or entity as the Committee shall deem necessary; (c) Hold such number of meetings, consultative sessions, public events and engagements as the Committee shall consider necessary for the purposes of receiving information or views in furtherance of its terms of reference; (d) Have such powers as may be necessary or expedient for the proper execution of its functions; (e) Regulate its own procedure; (f) May consider and use the reports of any past or ongoing initiatives as the Committee may deem relevant to its mandate; and (g) Request and receive any information or document that may be relevant to the discharge of its mandate. X. The National Committee will serve for a period of eight (8) weeks with effect from the date hereof, or for such longer period as may be specified by notice in the Gazette. XI. The Secretariat of the Committee as well as its Workstream shall be located at the Ministry of Education Headquarters at Jogoo House. Dated the 16th September, 2024. WILLIAM SAMOEI RUTO, President.