August 17, 2024: Top news events to look out for today

Here is what you need to know to get up to speed with today’s happenings.

Ruto in Western

President William Ruto will today Saturday, August 17, 2024, kick off his tour of the Western Kenya region.

Ruto will today launch a water project in Malava Sub-County, before proceeding on his tour of the western region.

Kakamega County Governor Fernandes Barasa on Friday, August 16, 2024, led a section of political leaders from the region, in welcoming the Head of State and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua.

“President Ruto will launch a water project worth Sh2 billion which will help my people in Kakamega and beyond. The project which will be launched in Malava Constituency is a large milestone towards last mile connectivity of our pillar of water at the doorstep,” Barasa said.

Governor Barasa was flanked by Malava MP Malulu Injendi, MCAs David Ndakwa, Kevin Mahelo, Peter Wakukha, Peter Wanami, Geoffrey Sikolia and Keffa Musiya.

MP Malulu called on the residents to come out in large numbers during the President’s development tour.

Power outage

Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) on Friday, August 16, 2024, announced a scheduled power outage hit a section of Uasin Gishu County today.

The utility company in a statement issued via their official social media pages stated that the outage is planned for maintenance purposes.

According to Kenya Power, the blackout that will last from 10am to 5pm will affect Lumakanda, Soko Moko, and Mautuma areas.

Reactions to new university funding model

Education CS Julius Ogamba has said the government is set to disburse Ksh25.3 billion in scholarships and loans to the 2024-25 higher education students who have applied so far.

He further announced public universities have started to release new admission letters to 125,893 students who have applied for loans and scholarships under the Student-Centred Model.

Ogamba said his ministry has directed universities to ensure all letters have reached the first-year students by Monday.

On Friday, August 16, 2024, Education PS Beatrice Inyangala revealed that the new model will be grouped into five bands.

According to Inyangala, families with a monthly income up to Ksh5,995 will be grouped in the first band. In this band, the government scholarship will cover 70%, the loan will cover 25%, making the total support 95%. The family will contribute 5%, and the upkeep loan will be Ksh60,000.

Students coming from families with a monthly income up to Ksh23,670 have been placed in the second band, in which the government scholarship will cover 60%, the loan will cover 30%, making the total support 90%. The family will then contribute 10%, and the upkeep loan will be Ksh55,000.

Those from families with a monthly income of up to Ksh70,000 have been placed in third band, in which the government scholarship will cover 50%, the loan will cover 30%, making the total support 80%. The family will then contribute 20%, and the upkeep loan will be Ksh50,000.

Those from families with a monthly income of up to Ksh120,000 have been placed in the fourth band, in which the government scholarship will cover 40%, the loan will cover 30%, making the total support 70%. The family will then contribute 30%.

Students from families with a monthly income of above Ksh120,000 have found themselves in the fifth band.

However, heated reactions on the new model are expected to continue, as a section of Kenyans have argued that many needy students have found themselves wrongfully placed in fourth and fifth bands.

BAND 1:
The government scholarship will cover 70%, the loan will cover 25%, making the total support 95%. The family will contribute 5%, and the upkeep loan will be Sh60,000.

— Dr Beatrice Muganda Inyangala (@Bettymuganda17) August 16, 2024