President William Ruto has announced an allocation of KSh2 billion in the next fiscal year to initiate the clearing of outstanding government arrears to Methodist University, which is just one of the measures being taken to stabilize higher learning institutions and fast-track major infrastructure projects across the country.
During a meeting at State House Nairobi with Methodist Church leaders, the President said that although the government had sponsored students to the private university, it had not released the agreed capitation fees leading to the university running at a heavy deficit.
He also highlighted that the State owes over KSh120 billion collectively to public and private universities, but he guaranteed that the arrears would be paid in stages.
“Next financial year, we shall allocate at least KSh2 billion to start paying off the debt to Methodist University as part of a bigger structured plan to revamp our higher education sector, ” said the President.
Dr Ruto emphasized that the new government student, centred funding model is the reason public universities have regained financial stability after 21 institutions close to collapse were revived.
Besides education, the Head of State also challenged the Methodist Church to be more involved in the joint effort with the government to fight drug and substance abuse among the youth. The President also asked the Church to lead by example in giving youths proper moral and ethical values as a means of spiritual guidance and mentorship in the whole community approach in combating the drug abuse crisis.
On infrastructure, President Ruto revealed that the government will build a KSh7 billion Nithi Bridge, among other projects, and will also upgrade the MakutanoEmbuMeruMaua road corridor to two lanes to increase the mobility and economic activities of Mt Kenya and Upper Eastern regions.
Besides, he also sought backing for the National Infrastructure Fund that is designed to raise a KSh5 trillion capital for the construction of major roads and other groundbreaking projects nationwide.
The President stated that the governments main objective is to develop a new kind of society through education overhaul, moral regeneration, and infrastructure growth.
