The High Court of Kenya has temporarily halted the implementation of President William Ruto’s new higher education funding model. This order follows a petition filed by the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and other groups, including the Elimu Bora Working Group, which argue that the model is discriminatory and lacks a legal foundation.

They contend that it disproportionately affects students from less wealthy backgrounds, making higher education more expensive and difficult to access.

The court’s suspension prevents universities and TVET institutions from excluding students who are unable to pay the newly stipulated fees until the case is resolved. Petitioners claim the model violates constitutional rights, such as the right to education, equality, and freedom from discrimination, and argue that its introduction lacked public participation. The case is ongoing, and the final decision will determine the fate of the funding model.