From January, No University, TVET or KMTC Student Should Be Sent Home Over Unpaid Fees, Ruto Says

President William Ruto has announced plans to change the higher education funding system from January, saying no student in a university, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institution or Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) should be sent home over unpaid fees.

Ruto revealed that he had returned legislation to Parliament to establish a new legal framework for funding higher education, to ensure students continue with their studies regardless of their parents’ financial circumstances.

Speaking in Kitui during the launch of the Kandwia-Kyuso-Tseikuru Road, the President maintained that education must remain accessible to all Kenyans, regardless of their family background.

“Education is the ultimate equalizer that puts every Kenyan child on an equal footing, whether they come from a wealthy background or a humble home,” he declared.

He added that the government wanted students’ academic progress to depend on their ability and performance rather than their parents’ capacity to pay fees.

“I have sent legislation back to Parliament to establish a new legal framework starting in January so that no student in a university, TVET, or KMTC is sent home over unpaid fees,” Ruto stated.

The proposed changes come amid ongoing efforts to reform higher education financing and ensure students from low-income households can pursue their studies without financial barriers.

The President also used the visit to defend his administration’s development record, insisting that roads and other public investments should reach all parts of the country regardless of political affiliation.

He maintained that residents of Tseikuru deserved the same development opportunities as other Kenyans, dismissing criticism that the promised road would not be built.

“When I said we would come to build this road, some people told you that Ruto is a liar. But I will put them to shame. Because we are going to build this road,” he declared.

Ruto argued that delivering development required proper planning, clear policies and a long-term vision, warning that without these, the country’s affairs could stall.

He further pointed to infrastructure projects serving areas associated with opposition leaders, including a tarmac access road extending towards Kalonzo Musyoka’s home, as an example of development that should not be determined by political differences.

During the visit, Ruto also launched the 55-kilometre Twimiwa-Tseikuru-Usweni Road in Mwingi North Constituency.

The President described the Sh5 billion project as a key investment in connecting farming and pastoralist communities to markets, public services and economic opportunities.

He maintained that expanding road networks to historically underserved areas would help narrow regional development gaps and improve livelihoods.

Ruto argued that infrastructure and education funding were part of a wider push to ensure more Kenyans benefit from national resources and have a fair chance to improve their lives.

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