[PHOTOS] UoN students hold demos over accommodation fee

Students from the University of Nairobi on Monday held demonstrations over high accommodation fees on the campus.

Blowing whistles, the students held placards written "Listen to students we want affordable education", and "Don't kill our dreams", outside the main campus.

The students were complaining about the accommodation fee being increased to Sh21,000 each semester from Sh3,000.

They also brought up the subject of the new funding model as part of their grievances.

The model groups learners into five bands, each with a varied fee burden based on their level of need and allocates higher loans and scholarships to the most underprivileged students.

Critics have, however, scorned the arrangement, particularly based on transparency deficit after some families claimed their sons and daughters were placed in the wrong bands that require them to pay higher fees than their economic status permits them.

Under the new funding model, Band One, the most needy group, consists of a family whose income is not beyond Sh5,995. 

Under this category, the government scholarship will cover 70 per cent of the fees while the loan will cover 25 per cent, making the total support 95  per cent.  Under the category, the family will pay 5 per cent of the fees and the student will receive an upkeep loan from Helb of Sh60,000.

In Band Two, the government has grouped families whose income does not surpass Sh23,670 but is above Sh5,995. 

In this category, the government scholarship will cover 60 per cent while the loan will cover 30 per cent.

The family will pay 10 per cent of the fees. Under this category, the student will receive an upkeep loan of Sh55,000.

In Band Three, the government has classified families whose family income does not pass Sh70,000 but it is above Sh23,670.

In this category, the government scholarship will cover 50 per cent, while the loan will cover 30 per cent.

The family will contribute 20 per cent of the fees supposed to be paid. Students in the category will receive an upkeep loan of Sh50,000.

In Band Four, the government has grouped families whose income does not exceed Sh120,000 but is above Sh70,000.

In this group, the government scholarship will cover 40 per cent while the loan will cover 30 per cent.