President William Ruto on Thursday asked Members of Parliament to support the contentious Finance Bill 2024 to provide his government funds to implement different projects in the education sector.
Speaking during Garissa University’s fifth graduation ceremony in Garissa, Ruto said the bill, through which the government intends to raise Ksh.346.7 billion more in income through increased taxation, will enable the State to provide meals for students from poor families.
He stated that the government intends to invest in school food programmes to improve and maintain school attendance.
“I am asking the MPs to expedite the bill in Parliament so that we can make that facility available to vulnerable children who otherwise will be out of school unless there is a meal for them there,” Ruto said.
He also cited the proposed law as an essential means towards the employment of intern teachers into permanent and pensionable terms.
“Every child deserves a chance,” Ruto said, further appealing on MPs to pass the bill for his government to have money to give university students loans and scholarships.
Another notable mention was the government’s new funding model for universities which allocates funding for university students on a needs-based approach.
The President revealed that 80,000 students did not apply for scholarships or funding from the government.
He further applauded the initiative of the parents of these students citing that the patriotic act had enabled the government to offer scholarships to only those who needed the resources.
“I am asking our members of parliament that every child in Kenya deserves a chance and for them to expedite the work they have in parliament to make these loans and scholarships to our children”
The President stated that the budgetary allocations for the Higher Education Loans Board was Ksh62 Billion to offer scholarships and loans to universities.
However, the National Treasury through Cabinet Secretary Njuguna wrote to the National Assembly on Wednesday indicating that proposed amendments to the Finance Bill would lead to a revenue shortfall of Ksh200 billion.
As such the Treasury has warned that it will cut funding to critical sectors including education and internships should the amended Finance Bill be passed by Parliament.
