Gov’t to double funding for universities, TVET institutions – Ruto

President William Ruto on Saturday, April 2022 announced that the government has implemented new mechanisms to double funding for higher learning institutions across the country.

Speaking in Laare in Meru County, where he launched the construction of 12-kilometer Kaelo -Kamukuji-Mutuati which had stalled during the previous regime, Ruto noted the doubling of resources will help eliminate the perennial financial challenges facing universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.

“Next week, we will officially announce the new progressive funding mechanisms for all universities, colleges, and TVET institutions to avoid compromising the quality of education in the country,” the Head of State said.

Accompanied by Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mithika Linturi, and local MPs, the President vowed to improve the quality of education by making it affordable to all students set to join higher learning in May and September this year.

He further noted his government is focused on uplifting the technical institutes to ensure that the country gets an adequate skilled workforce towards the realization of the Vision 2030 agenda.

“We are devoted to fully equipping all the technical institutes across the country to ensure we get adequate skilled youth who can provide services towards the implementation of the government agenda,” he stated.

The Head of State at the same time noted his government will employ 1300 TVET tutors in the next two months followed by another 2000 teachers in the second phase.

Ruto on construction of dams

Addressing hundreds of locals, Ruto also pledged to prioritise water in his development agenda by constructing one hundred mega dams in the country to help mitigate food shortage.

“We need to protect our country from the shame of food shortage and that is why my government is devoted to constructing 100 mega-dams across the country to help supply enough water for irrigation and improve food basket,” he said.

Speaking in Buuri sub-county, Ruto said in the plan, Meru County will benefit from eight major dams at a cost of Ksh30 billion.

“Instead of protesting with ‘sufuria’ because of incitements from selfish politicians, give me time to invest in water that can bring a lasting solution to the food crisis that is affecting our country.

“The only way to change the economy of the country and food shortage is not through demonstrations and taking Sufurias’ on the head but take fertilizer and seedlings and plant,” the President said.

Further, he noted that the journey of bringing down the price of foodstuff and other basic commodities has begun assuring Kenyans that in a short period of time, everything will stabilize.

He, at the same, announced that Ksh50 million will be released to upgrade Nyambene Level Four Hospital to level five.

He also promised to fund Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital to a level six hospital at a cost of Ksh500 million.

Ruto pledges to equip police

While responding to calls by MPs to help improve security and fight cattle rustling in the area, the fifth President noted that the government has set aside Ksh20 billion to equip the police to fight insecurity.

“The problem we have been having is lack of proper and adequate security equipment but now the government will spend Ksh20 billion towards the project,” he added.

He also assured the Miraa farmers that the new laws and regulations that were effected two weeks ago, will boost the marketing and income of the commodity which is the mainstay of Igembe residents.

“We made the pledge of having more talks with different countries to open more markets for Miraa however the new laws and regulations passed have removed some of the earlier levies and taxes imposed on the crop.

“This will help the farmer benefit and also help boost the economy of the county,” said Ruto.