The High Court ruled in favour of University of Nairobi (UoN) students on Thursday, October 21 as it halted the academic institution's move to increase tuition fees.
On Monday, June 28, 2021, the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentist's Union filed a petition challenging the university's decision to hike fees.
According to Justice Anthony Mrima, the institution's attempt to increase fees was unconstitutional hence declaring it null and void.
The judge stated that UoN violated Article 10(2)(a) and Article 201(a) of the constitution that advocated for public participation in financial matters.
The criteria used by the University to increase the fees through the Handbook of Fees Payment(Policy, Schedules, Guidelines & Procedures) was unconstitutional, the ruling established further.
The ruling read, "For clarity, the 1st respondent shall continue to charge its applicable fees based on the criterion which was in place before the impugned Handbook of Fees Payment(Policy, Schedules, Guidelines & Procedures)."
The University had announced a 100% increment of fees for postgraduate and parallel students, leaving students frustrated.
Initially, they used to pay Ksh275,000 which was doubled to Ksh600,000.
According to the UoN's administration, the aim of the fee increment was increment to boost their dwindling fortunes owing to a dip in enrolment.
The institution recorded a Ksh1.4 billion loss in June 2018 that affected the running of key operations.
The fee increment was to be effected in August when the new lot of students were to be enrolled in the institution.
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