Ruto says bursaries to take 25pc of CDF cash

President Uhuru Kenyatta shares a word with his deputy William Ruto at a past function. Twenty five per cent of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) monies will directly go to bursary for needy students in the country, Mr Ruto has said. Photo/FILE  NATION

By STELLAR MURUMBA

Twenty five per cent of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) monies will directly go to bursary for needy students in the country, Deputy President William Ruto has said.

Mr Ruto said that come next year diploma students will also enjoy benefits from the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB).
Speaking Friday during the launch of Mathira Education Trust Fund (MET FUND) in Karatina Stadium, Nyeri County, Mr Ruto said this is under the national governments’ comprehensive programmes to expand the countrys’ economy.

“The amounts to be loaned out to college students increase as of January 2014 to enable them pursue education and secure good jobs as the markets out there are pretty much competitive,” he said adding that they could be repaid after they get employment.

He revealed the government is going to roll out addition comprehensive technical and technological college institutions.

This, he said, is to provide equal opportunities to develop rural economy and mainstream participation of many Kenyan youth who cannot afford decent education opportunities.

“We are going to start by erecting an institution of technology here in Mathira Constituency and you can take my word to the bank,” he said.

Mr Ruto made a donation of Sh1 million towards the fund’s kitty with another Sh1 million contribution from President Kenyatta.

The initiative which is spearheaded by the Member of Parliament, Mathira Constituency Peter Weru, aims at mobilising resources that will be used to sponsor bright children from poor and economically challenged background pursue secondary and higher education.

Mr Weru said the Fund which is registered under the Trustees Act will be nonpolitical in its philosophy and operations.

“We shall be guided by our commitment to avail resources to those children who are academically capable but are from poor families,” said Mr Weru.

As the patron of MET FUND, he contributed Sh800,000 during the fundraiser where about Sh10million was raised towards saving a child’s dream of education.