Speaking on Wednesday during the commissioning of the Ibeno Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) campus in Nyaribari Chache Constituency, Kisii County, Ruto said the Government was pursuing amendments to existing legislation to establish a more inclusive funding framework.
He said the reforms would ensure that students are not denied opportunities to pursue higher education because of their parents' inability to meet tuition fees and other academic expenses.
The President said the proposed changes would cover learners in universities, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions and medical training colleges.
He disclosed that the Government was working on amendments to the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Act and the consolidation of related laws to establish a unified legal framework for student placement and financing.
Ruto indicated that the new funding arrangements were expected to take effect in January 2027, assuring students that the Government intended to provide the financial support required to complete their studies.
He said access to education should be determined by a student's academic ability rather than the financial circumstances of their family.
Proposed reforms to address student funding challenges
The President's announcement comes amid concerns raised by KMTC students who have been seeking access to financial assistance through HELB, similar to learners in universities and other higher education institutions.
The proposed reforms are expected to address disparities in student financing and provide a more coordinated approach to funding university, technical and medical training programmes.
Ruto said the Government was committed to ensuring that qualified students could pursue their preferred courses without being excluded because of financial difficulties.
However, the proposed changes will require legislative approval before the new funding framework can be implemented.
New KMTC campus to expand medical training
Ruto also used the occasion to highlight the importance of expanding medical training infrastructure, saying the commissioning of Ibeno KMTC would increase the country's capacity to produce qualified healthcare professionals.
He said the institution would help address the shortage of skilled health workers and strengthen the Government's efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The campus features a classroom block with 11 ordinary classrooms, a computer laboratory, a skills laboratory, a library and an examination hall.
Its establishment was initiated in 2016 through a partnership involving local leaders and the community, with the project facing prolonged delays before its commissioning.
The institution is expected to expand access to medical training for students from Kisii and neighbouring counties, reducing the need for some learners to travel to distant towns to pursue healthcare courses.
The facility will also contribute to the development of a skilled workforce needed in hospitals, health centres and other healthcare facilities as the Government continues to strengthen service delivery.
Ruto said investments in medical training were critical to ensuring the country had sufficient professionals to support the implementation of its healthcare agenda.
The President's visit also brought renewed attention to the Government's commitment to expanding access to technical and professional training while addressing financial challenges facing students.
He said the proposed higher education funding reforms would promote fairness and ensure that every qualified Kenyan had an opportunity to pursue quality education regardless of their economic background.
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