President William Ruto has defended his pledge to fully fund students placed in universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, saying the government already has a clear plan to implement the promise.
Speaking on Thursday, July 23, the President dismissed criticism of the announcement, insisting that it was backed by a practical strategy rather than a political promise.
Ruto said the government intends to achieve the commitment by adjusting the current university funding model, which he argued had already helped stabilise public universities that were previously struggling with financial challenges.
President William Ruto: Courtesy.
According to the President, the revised model had enabled institutions to continue operating after years of facing mounting debts that threatened their operations.
He also compared the new education funding plan to the Affordable Housing Programme, noting that the housing initiative was initially met with scepticism but is now being implemented across the country through the construction of houses, markets and student hostels.
The Head of State further revealed that the government has already begun the legislative process required to support the new funding framework.
He said the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Amendment Bill, which is currently before the National Assembly, seeks to introduce the legal changes necessary to guarantee funding for all students placed in universities and TVET institutions.
Once enacted, the legislation will support a funding model aimed at ensuring every Kenyan student admitted to a public university or TVET institution is able to access financial support to pursue higher education.
Ruto maintained that expanding access to higher education remains one of the government’s priorities, saying the reforms are intended to ensure that no qualified student misses out on university or college education due to financial constraints.
