Government expediting passage of funding Bill to support more students-DP Kindiki

The government is pushing for faster passage of a Bill that will enhance funding for students in all institutions of higher learning, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has said.

Prof. Kindiki stated that the Universities and Higher Education Placement and Funding Bill, 2026, presently before Parliament, is geared at enabling more learners to get access to the government’s funds without any form of discrimination.

“We have decided that, going forward, every student who qualifies to join a university, the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC), a teachers' training college or a technical training institute must receive government support, just as university students do,” DP revealed.

Speaking on Monday afternoon when he inspected development projects in Voi Constituency, Taita Taveta County, the Second in Command urged parliamentarians to hasten the passage of the Bill in order to unlock the funds.

“The Bill is currently being debated in Parliament, and we have asked Parliament to expedite its passage before the December recess,” he added.

Further, the DP noted that the proposed law seeks to correct the past mistakes that saw funds only made available to university students, saying those who do not join deserve to be supported.  

“This administration, under the leadership of President William Ruto, has embarked on correcting this historical injustice that persisted for a long time. The Bill will ensure that every student who qualifies to join a KMTC, university or technical training institute receives financial support, regardless of their family background,” he added.

In addition to providing direct funds, the government is also building thousands of students' hostels to ease accommodation challenges in various institutions.

On Monday, he checked the progress of construction of hostels at Voi KMTC Campus, which is set to host 580 students and is being done at  Sh230 million .

He also inspected the construction of Voi Modern Market and addressed jubilant wananchi in Voi town. Earlier, he interacted with families who have benefited from the completed Ikanga-Lebanon village electrification programme in the constituency.

Prof. Kindiki said the administration is building accommodation facilities with a total capacity of 180,000 students across Kenya's universities, KMTCs, teachers' training colleges and technical training institutes.

The DP said President Ruto has promised to develop every part of the country, presenting several projects ongoing in Voi and Taita Taveta County as a whole.

In total, the government has invested over  Sh 16.5 billion for 243 kilometres of new roads in Taita Taveta, presently at various stages of completion.

In addition to the Voi market, the devolved unit is also a beneficiary of other modern markets in Mwatunge, Maungu and Wundanyi, with two more planned for Taveta and Njukini towns.

This is among housing fund projects amounting to Sh 7.8 billion in the county that also include affordable houses and hostels.

“There is no other President who has ensured that Kenya's national resources are distributed equitably across all counties without considering whether residents voted for him or not. That is why the President is being fought politically because he wants every part of the country to develop,” he indicated.

The Deputy President asked the opposition leaders to stop attacks and insults directed at the President and him, but to present a viable agenda to the people of Kenya.

“I want to challenge those individuals going around with empty and nonsensical talk to tell Kenyans what they will do for them. Many of them have previously held positions of leadership, yet there is nothing they can show for it,” he added.