MKU Foundation hosts Forum on educational scholarships and Fund

By James Wakahiu

 Mount Kenya University Foundation on Wednesday November 29, 2023

hosted a breakfast forum on scholarships and funding at a Nairobi hotel.

 The event, which brought together government and non-governmental

players, discussed ways of enhancing partnerships that will improve

access to higher education particularly to bright students from

economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

 Among the participants were Higher Education Loans Board (HeLB),

National Government Constituency Development Fund Board,

Universities Fund, Equity Group Foundation, Plan International, Hope

Worldwide, Islamic Relief-Kenya, Amara Charitable Trust, Digna

Foundation, Elimisha Trust, Affecto Foundation, I & M Bank Foundation,

Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), Murang’a County Government,

Teach For Kenya, Akothee Foundation, Compassion International, Equip

Africa Institute and Openda Foundation. 

The Forum came on the backdrop of the recent roll-out of the new

Variable Scholarship and Loan Funding model for university students,

which has brought changes in how university students pay their fees. 

Previously, the government was funding university education through a

Differentiated Unit Cost model- where its contribution to public

universities was expected to be 80%. 

But in light of changing costs ofmounting academic programmes and economic circumstances, noted

Geoffrey Monari, CEO Universities Fund who graced the Forum, the

highest the government could afford was 66%. 

In 2022, the government could only raise 44%. It was therefore prudent to introduce a new model

that uses a Means Testing instrument to ensure university students

receive government funding based on their financial ability to pay fees.

“The model we have now is student-centred,” said Mr Monari.

He added that the foundations  among the  MKU are doing a good job in

supplementing the government efforts of ensuring no child is left

behind.”

The breakfast Forum, which was co-organized by the NGOs co-

ordination Board, also discussed the possibility of establishing an

Association of grant makers and benefactors in Education who will be a

common, unified, an unequivocal voice in the area of scholarships and

funding. This will bring together the government bodies (such as HeLB,

Universities Fund and National Government CDF Board), NGOs with

programmes in education, Kenya Private Sector Alliance, Foundations,

Trusts and individual benefactors.

“We shall use the Association as a lobby for a possible future inclusion

on the table of educational financing decision policy makers,” said MKU

Foundation Executive Director John W. Koigi. “We shall also meet

periodically to populate reports and measure the impact and success of

our educational funding programmes.”

He added that the association will also explore the possibility of

establishing a joint scholarship fund, which will be administered by a

secretariat.

The Forum heard that the National Government through CDF had

awarded scholarships worth KSh57 billion in the last five years. On its

part, HeLB had disbursed over KSh131 billion to 1.3 million students.

Dr Vincent Gaitho, who chairs the KEPSA Education Sector Board

challenged the two government bodies to set up a revolving fund to

ensure the money is paid back by the beneficiaries “so that it is made

available for the next generation.”

“Even if the money is interest-free, beneficiaries should be made to pay

it back,” he added.

Photo/ MKU Foundation Executive Director John Koigi (Second left) hands over a gift bag to Universities Fund CEO Geoffrey Monari as MKU Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Administration and Planning Dr Peter Kirira (extreme left) and Prof. Peter Wanderi, Principal, Corporate Services look on. By James Wakahiu

Equity Group Foundation’s Kevin Lubembe bemoaned the lack of

adequate information on available scholarships especially for those who

have just written their KCSE exams. “We should double our efforts in

dispensing information particularly to the bright students in rural areas.

In addition, we should explore ways where we expose students to

scholarships and funding beyond their first year of education.”

 During the Forum, Esther Akoth of Akothee Foundation granted MKU

student Milly Nafula KSh50,000 towards her upkeep. Nafula, who is a

Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) student at MKU

School of Medicine was granted a full scholarship by MKU Foundation in

2022.

She had stayed out of school for 14 years- despite scoring an A- (minus)

grade in her Kenya Certificate of Secondary school examination. When

her story was broadcast on Citizen TV prime time news, it triggered

national conversation on unequitable access to quality higher education.

Driven by despair, Milly was working at a poshomill, her dream of

becoming a medical doctor dissipating with each passing day. She had

lost her mother, the sole bread winner, and had been left to fend for her

siblings.

MKU Foundation, through its patron Prof. Simon Gicharu responded to

her cry and awarded her a full scholarship valued at KSh3.5 million. She

joined MKU Medical School at Thika Main Campus in September, 2022.

“I wish to thank Akothee for the donation and as I have promised all my

other donors, I will not let you down,” said Milly. “I will work hard and

ensure I attain my dream of being a medical doctor.”

 NGOs Board Executive Director Mutuma Nkanata hailed the NGOs with

programmes in education for the role they play in ensuring children and

youth receive education. “The future of the country is pegged on how

well educated our students all. I wish to thank you all for the efforts you

put in place throughout your various programmes.

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