President Ruto Clarifies Reports of Government Plan to Increase University Fees

President William Ruto now says the Government has never contemplated or planned to privatize public universities nor to increase the fees.

The President spoke on Wednesday, March 1, in a speech read on his behalf by the Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu during the University of Kabianga 10th anniversary celebrations and its endowment fund drive at Kabianga, Kericho County.

The President maintained that his administration will continue to support public universities by enhancing governing policy structures and allocation of HELB loans for students to ensure access to university education.

He pointed out the need to re-engineer the Universities in-line with the demands of global trends and create global citizens.

"Our universities must adapt to the posture of 21st century and be at the forefront on its vital role in integrating research and innovation in areas of national development. Tertiary institutions should work on the regional integration agenda aimed at transforming the African continent to a global powerhouse, " the President said.

The President commended University of Kabianga for the advanced initiatives through science and technology in the manufacturing, value addition, commercial enterprises, and innovative health technology for the diary app for expectant mothers to keep track of their clinic visits.

"All these innovative initiatives has positioned the university on a transformative and sustainable growth with constant revenue stream, " the Head of State reiterated.

He said the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms will provide recommendations that will address the current financial and management challenges facing the public universities. "The reforms will revitalize our university education in the Country," added the President.

The CS mentioned that already 17.8 million books have been distributed to public JSS across the country and reaffirmed that the capitation monies will be send any time as the data on enrollment of learners has been done per school.

On JSS infrastructure, Machogu said the Ministry of Education through World Bank funding will construct 40% of integrated labs and 60% to be done by the MPs through allocation of NG-CDF.

He said the National Government is working hand in hand with the Governors to improve the quality of Technical, Vocational and Education Institutions to match the international standards.

University of Kabianga was first chartered in the year 2013. It has since established modern infrastructure with a student capacity currently at 8,128. The University has maintained the teaching and non-teaching staff at the ratio of 1:2.