The government will pay Sh2 billion to the Kenya Methodist University (KeMU) to settle a part of its capitation debt owed to the institution, President William Ruto has said.
According to KeMU Vice Chancellor Prof Kobia Ataya, the government owes the university more than Sh5.2 billion, accumulated between 2016 and 2024.
Speaking when he hosted Methodist Church leadership led by Presiding Bishop John Maromba, Friday, President Ruto said the part payment would lighten the financial strain on the institution.
President Ruto said the government owed more than Sh120 billion to universities in unpaid capitation due to past challenges in the education sector.
"As a government, we sent students to private universities and you taught them, but we did not pay you. We have agreed on a payment schedule and by June, we will look for at least Sh2 billion to settle what we owe to Kenya Methodist University," President Ruto said.
The head of State also pledged to allocate funds to compensate the church for land occupied by squatters in the coast and Mathare North.
He said the government would also support the Maua Methodist Hospital with Oncology equipment to increase access to cancer care in Meru.
The Methodist Church has for long been embroiled in a tussle involving more than 150 acres of land at the coast.
"I have already linked the necessary people to handle this land issue and give me a report soon," he said.
The President said the higher education new student-centred funding model has financially stabilised public universities, saving 21 of them from bankruptcy.
Dr Ruto called on the church to support the government in fighting drug abuse among the youth by imparting moral and spiritual guidance.
"It cannot be done by the State alone. We can use all the other interventions, but there is a moral issue the church must address," he said.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki challenged the church to work closely with the government and correct leaders without necessarily being divisive.
DP Kindiki highlighted the values of hard work and a saving culture, saying the Methodist Church is well-known for the virtues other religious groups ought to emulate.
"Saving is part of Wesleyan (Methodist) doctrine - that a man must work very hard, save as much as possible, and give as much as possible," he said.
Presiding Bishop Maromba said the church was renewing its partnership with the government in advancing national development.
“We have raised issues concerning the Kenya Methodist University, health and protection of mission properties across the country. We are looking forward to working closely with the government in these areas,” Rev Maromba said.
President Ruto reiterated that his administration was keen on construction of the Nithi bridge at a cost of Sh20 billion.
He said plans were underway for the dualling of the 190-kilometer Makutano-Embu-Meru-Maua Road, to ease persistent traffic gridlock along the route.
"By April, the National Infrastructure fund will have raised half of the Sh5 trillion required major projects," he said.
