- President William Ruto has announced plans to meet university vice-chancellors to streamline efforts toward fully funding all students admitted to universities and colleges.
- Speaking at the Huawei ICT Awards, Ruto insisted education is Kenya’s most critical investment for achieving first-world status, stressing that ignorance is costlier than education.
- While promising full government support for all admitted students, Ruto did not explain how the expanded programme will be financed, sparking debate over its sustainability.
President William Ruto has announced plans to convene a meeting with university vice-chancellors to streamline efforts aimed at fully funding all students admitted to universities and colleges, brushing off criticism over how the government intends to finance the ambitious education reform.
Speaking during the Huawei ICT Awards at State House, Nairobi, on Tuesday, July 28, the President maintained that investment in education remains a top priority, insisting that Kenya cannot afford to compromise on developing its human capital.
“I know many people are asking me where you are going to get the money to fund universities. I want to tell them what has been said before, that if you think education is expensive, then try ignorance and you will know which one is more expensive,” said the President.
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Ruto said education reforms remain Kenya’s most critical investment, describing them as the foundation for transforming the country into a first-world economy.
“My commitment is that it is the single most important thing that we must do. For us to move this country to a first-world status, education is central to this journey. We therefore have no option but to fund our knowledge to get the best human capital,” the President added.
Unanswered questions on financing the strategy
He, however, did not explain how the government intends to finance the expanded funding programme, amid growing concerns about the cost of extending full support to all students admitted to universities and colleges.
Ruto’s remarks come a week after he announced that every student qualifying for admission to higher learning institutions would receive full government funding, regardless of their financial background, marking a significant departure from the current needs-based funding model.
By Frank Mugwe
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