President William Ruto Friday asked universities to allow students with fee arrears to sit the end of semester examinations.
The President acknowledged that many universities were struggling financially with a Sh120 billion debt mountain, which he said seeks to be addressed with the new university funding model he said was the solution.
President Ruto reiterated the government's commitment to helping universities meet their financial obligations.
The Head of State attributed the financial woes facing many public universities to accumulated debts and the disruption caused by the transition to a new higher education funding model.
“As we navigate the changes brought about by the transition to the student-centered higher education financing model, I urge universities to exercise patience and understanding with students," President Ruto said.
"Therefore, I appeal to universities to allow all students sit for their end of semester examinations while awaiting the resumption of full disbursements once the process gets direction on the matter,” the President said when he graced the 59th graduation ceremony at Scott Christian University in Machakos Town on Friday.
Tens of graduands graduated with certificates, diplomas and degrees after completing courses in agribusiness, theology, counselling physiology, business administration and information communication technology at the university associated with the African Inland Church (AIC).
The Head of State chanced on the graduation ceremony to make a strong case for the new university funding model.
Using the case of Scott Christian University, President Ruto revealed that some universities were facing closure due to huge debts.
He attributed the financial mess to the old university funding model which the government has since abolished.
“This university suffered from the old university funding model’s deficiencies. Today, the government of Kenya owes this university an upward of Sh 460 million. I know it has done a lot of damage to this university. That is why I took the responsibility to sort out the challenges that bedeviled the old model," President Ruto said.
"The old model almost brought many of our universities to closure. I am aware that this university was temporarily closed for a few months. And it was not right because we were responsible for the huge debt of Sh60 million owed to this university,” he added.
The President defended the new university funding, saying it was the only way to get universities out of the debt hole.
“It is the reason it cannot be business as usual. It is not right that we continue a model that has created huge debts. That is why I am deliberate, intentional and I am focused on making sure that we have a model that does not again take our university education to where we have it with Sh120 billion debt," he said.
"I have worked with all the vice chancellors to make sure that we have a model which makes university education accessible but puts it on a sound financial footing,” the Head of State added.
At the graduation ceremony graced by MPs Caleb Mule (Machakos Town), Joshua Mwalyo (Masinga), and Mwengi Mutuse (Kibwezi West), President Ruto gave political discussions a wide berth.
The President was accompanied by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba and his Labour and Social Protection counterpart Alfred Mutua.
The head of AIC Bishop Abraham Mulwa challenged the graduates to espouse the values acquired at the university.
“Be an agent of transformation in a world yearning for hope,” Bishop Mulwa said.
