President William Ruto has called on the Ministry of Education and county governments to develop a collaborative framework for bursaries, aimed at ensuring that vulnerable students have access to financial support for their education. The President’s directive comes in response to concerns raised by the Office of the Controller of Budget, which has highlighted gaps in the distribution of bursary funds.
During his tour of Murang’a and Nyandarua counties, Ruto emphasized that the government’s priority is to make bursaries accessible to every child in need, regardless of whether the funds are provided by the national government or county governments. “Bursaries are the right of all our children. Whatever is required from the National Government, we are going to make it possible,” said the President, affirming the government’s commitment to education and social support for vulnerable families.
The President also addressed a range of development projects during his visit, highlighting efforts to complete stalled initiatives and kickstart new ones now that the economy has stabilized. He stated that the government had unlocked funding for contractors to resume work, a move aimed at accelerating infrastructure development.
In terms of healthcare, President Ruto noted significant improvements in the Linda Mama program, which now provides up to KSh10,000 for pregnant mothers, a sharp increase from the previous KSh4,000. The government is also working on expanding access to electricity, with KSh1.2 billion allocated to connect 16,000 households in Murang’a County and additional funds earmarked for Nyandarua County.
In terms of agriculture, the President reiterated his commitment to eliminating cartels in the coffee sector, ensuring that farmers receive fair compensation for their produce. He also inspected key irrigation and housing projects aimed at boosting local economies and creating jobs. One such project, the Kaihii Irrigation Project in Kangema, is expected to create 6,000 jobs and generate KSh720 million annually.
The President’s visit to the JM Kariuki Memorial County Referral Hospital in Nyandarua also underscored his government’s commitment to enhancing healthcare infrastructure, with plans to complete the facility at an estimated KSh800 million.
Overall, President Ruto’s remarks and inspections reflect the government’s focus on improving education, infrastructure, and healthcare, with a clear emphasis on equitable development for all Kenyans.
