A furious row has erupted at the University of Cambridge after Trinity Hall was exposed for launching a targeted recruitment drive aimed at elite private schools—a move alumni and social mobility campaigners are calling "immoral and dangerous."

The backlash follows revelations that the college intended to court wealthy schools to ensure "quality" applicants, effectively reversing years of progress in widening access to state-school students. For Kenyans aspiring to study in the UK, this reinforces the perception of Oxbridge as an exclusionary fortress for the rich.

The "93% Club" Revolt

The 93% Club, representing state-educated students, has led the charge, urging alumni to withhold donations until the policy is scrapped. High-profile figures like Alastair Campbell have weighed in, describing the move as a detachment from reality.

• The Justification: Trinity Hall claimed private school students were feeling "marginalized"—a claim ridiculed by data showing they are still vastly overrepresented at Cambridge compared to the general population.
• The Stakes: Education is the primary engine of social mobility. By prioritizing the privileged, the college is accused of entrenching class divides.
• Kenyan Context: This debate mirrors our own struggles with the "National School" quota system, where elite academies often crowd out students from village polytechnics. Privilege, it seems, speaks the same language everywhere.

Reputational Damage

Trinity Hall is now in damage control mode. The uproar serves as a warning to all elite institutions: in 2026, elitism is no longer a selling point; it is a liability.