The burden of Sh1.34bn promises made by Ruto
Education Principal Secretary Dr Beatrice Inyangala (left) with Higher Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba (centre) during the inauguration of and Prof Noah Midamba as the New Council Chairman of Moi University in Kesses, Uasin Gishu County on January 22, 2025.
The Ministry of Education has appealed to MPs to set aside Sh1.34 billion to fulfil promises made by President William Ruto to universities.
Appearing before the Committee on Education, Higher Education PS Beatrice Inyangala said implementing projects promised by the President to universities remains in limbo.
Among these projects is the upgrading of a sewer system at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology. President Ruto said it would be done at a cost of Sh100 million. It is meant to connect the university to Siaya and Bondo Water Sewerage Company (Sibowasco).
The Technical University of Kenya is still waiting for Sh300 million meant for studios, computer labs, lecture theatres and office blocks.
During his visit to the university on December 8, 2022 President Ruto commissioned the construction of two blocks and inaugurated a tuition block.
“I’m aware of a misalignment between the Ministry’s charter and the constitutive legislative instruments that affect the clarity of its mandate,” he said.
“After consultations with the council chairman and the VC, we will rework and re-charter to establish the institution as a special technical university. It should be a technical university by charter.”
Since then, the university has been in decline, struggling with many challenges, ranging from failing to pay workers to poor infrastructure.
Lecturers continue to voice frustrations over an unfulfilled pay deal. Technical University of Kenya is closed indefinitely due to these challenges.
Dr Inyangala said the promises include Sh200 million for Alupe University in Busia for the construction of an administration block, Sh40 million for Mundere Centre (Alupe University) for its conversion into a campus and Sh300 million for Meru University of Science and Technology (Mariene Campus) for a library. Turkana University was promised Sh360 million.
President Ruto promised the University of Eastern Africa, Baraton Sh60 million for enhanced capitation.
Jaramogi Oginga’s Bunyala Campus was promised Sh30 million for renovations while Tangaza University is still waiting for the promised Sh50 million to complete a resource centre.
“Beyond these commitments, public universities face a wider funding gap, with the Higher Education Loans Board requiring Sh34.4 billion and the Universities Fund reporting a shortfall of Sh27.5 billion,” Dr Inyangala said.
“The differentiated unit cost needs Sh8.3 billion while the implementation of Competency-Based Education (CBE) in universities requires Sh500 million. It should be noted that Sh45.7 billion is needed for development projects.”
According to the PS, the lack of budgetary allocation for the pledges puts universities in a precarious position, forcing them to rely on limited internal resources or suspend key projects.
Players in education, including university administrators and student leaders, have raised concerns over failure by the state to translate promises to funding.
“I ask the Treasury to allocate the funds. Public universities are grappling with funding shortages that have affected operations, including salaries and infrastructure development,” the PS said.
“Without urgent intervention, these institutions could halt essential programmes, thus delaying projects and compromising the quality of education. Sustainability of higher learning depends on financial support.”
Last year, Treasury approved Sh19.8 billion for scholarships targeting students from needy backgrounds. However, only Sh7.9 billion had been disbursed by March 2024.
Following the release of the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms report in August 2023, President Ruto announced immediate changes to the education system.
He talked of the dedication by the government in investing in quality, inclusive and relevant education that aims to foster innovation and help learners realise their potential.
Pioneer Universities like Nairobi, Moi and Kenyatta have experienced a drop in student enrolment.
In the current academic year, the University of Nairobi saw an enrolment fall of 24 percent, Moi 22 per cent while Kenyatta’s fall was three per cent.