President Ruto. Photo/Courtesy
Controversial lawyer Miguna Miguna has weighed in on President William Ruto’s latest pledge to fully fund university education, cautioning that the proposal risks becoming a short-term political promise unless backed by long-term policy and job creation.
Ruto recently announced plans for the government to fully sponsor all students admitted to universities, TVET institutions and KMTC, a move that could mark a major shift toward universal access to higher education.
The proposal, expected to take effect from September 2026 if approved, builds on the existing student-centred funding model that prioritises support based on financial need.
However, Miguna has challenged the sustainability and intent of the announcement, arguing that funding alone is not sufficient to address systemic issues facing graduates.
“To have meaning, the funding must be comprehensive, inclusive and permanent; not announced for fleeting political machinations,” Miguna stated.
He warned that past policy shifts in the education sector have often been driven by political expediency rather than long-term planning, leaving students and institutions vulnerable to abrupt changes.
According to him, any move toward fully funded university education must be anchored in law and supported by a stable financing framework.
Miguna further emphasised that expanding access to higher education without addressing unemployment risks worsening the country’s economic strain.
He pointed to rising youth joblessness, noting that many graduates struggle to secure formal employment despite holding degrees.
“And it must be accompanied by a comprehensive program for employment opportunities after graduation. We don’t want to see 98% of unemployed graduates driving nduthis,” he added.
His remarks highlight a growing concern among policy analysts and stakeholders that increased university enrolment, without parallel expansion in job markets, could lead to an oversupply of graduates.
The government has defended the funding proposal as a step toward equity, arguing that it will eliminate financial barriers and ensure no qualified student is left behind.
Under the current model introduced in 2023, students are grouped into funding bands, with the most vulnerable receiving full support through scholarships, loans and bursaries.
Ruto has maintained that the expanded funding plan will enhance access while stabilising universities financially.
However, critics continue to question whether the State can sustain the cost and whether the economy can absorb the growing number of graduates.