Nairobi Senator and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna has criticised the Ruto administration for delays in issuing student certificates and failing to settle debts owed to universities for sponsored students.

In a statement he made at Borabu on Friday, November 21, 2025, Sifuna expressed frustration over the challenges faced by students who completed KCSE and KCPE in 2024 while taking a dig at Ruto’s ambition of elevating Kenya into a first-world country.

He said many are yet to receive their certificates, preventing them from applying for jobs, including positions in the Kenya Defence Forces.

“Mambo ya Elimu, Ruto anasema hio ndio itasukuma Kenya mpaka mahalo Singapore iko, watoto wetu ambao walifanya KCSE na KCPE 2024 mpaka leo, hawajapata certificate watu wanaenda kuapply kazi za jeshi hawana certificates wanakosa kupata, serikali ya Ruto imeshindwa kuprint certificates, hio ni serikali kweli?” Sifuna stated.

He further criticised ministers within the government for contradicting each other on education funding. One minister claimed that Ksh6 million had been allocated to hire teachers, while another dismissed the allocation entirely. Sifuna questioned the president’s silence on the matter in Parliament.

“Unakuta waziri moja wa serikali ya Ruto anasema sijui wametenga shilingi bilioni sita ya kuajiri walimu, alafu mwingine anaitwa Waziri Ogamba anaamka anasema hakuna kitu kama hio, Rais mliona anakuja bunge hata hazungumzii kitu kama hio,” he said.

Sifuna also raised concerns over unpaid university fees for sponsored students, estimated at Ksh60 billion, and the lack of clarity on whether interns completing their programmes are officially registered.

“Tunapozungumza serikali iko na deni ya universities kama shilingi bilioni sitini ya wale sponsored students wako shule, na wewe Ruto unakuja bunge hata hazungumzii hayo, utatufikisha Singapore aje sasa?” he added.

Sifuna’s remarks come amid broader national debates on the management of public funds for education and government accountability in ensuring timely service delivery to citizens.