Nyandarua — President William Ruto has directed the Ministry of Education and urged county governments to develop a framework for bursaries that will enable the two levels of government to support needy students.
The President said the framework would help address concerns raised by the Office of the Controller of Budget, ensuring that every child has access to bursaries.
He said it should not matter whether the funds are from the National Government or counties as long as they support students from vulnerable families.
"Bursaries are the right of all our children. Whatever is required from the National Government, we are going to make it possible because we want bursaries to get to all students who need them," he said.
The President made the remarks in Kangema, Murang'a County, during his development tour of Murang'a and Nyandarua in the company of Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, governors, Cabinet Secretaries, and MPs.
President Ruto said the implementation of stalled projects had resumed after the government unlocked funds for contractors and successfully stabilised the economy.
"Now that the economy is stable, we are ready to complete stalled projects and start new ones," he said.
The President asked Kenyans to register for Taifa Care and clarified that the Linda Mama programme, under the defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund, has been enhanced under the Social Health Authority.
"We have increased the amount available for pregnant mothers from Sh4,000 to Sh10,000," he said.
On electricity, the President said the government will spend KSh1.2 billion to connect 16,000 households to power in Murang'a County.
In Nyandarua, he said, KSh1.6 billion will be spent in connecting 14,000 households to electricity. An additional allocation of KSh400 million would increase the number to 20,000.
The President reiterated his commitment to eliminating cartels in the coffee sector that have denied farmers their rightful dues.
In Karugia, Kangema Constituency, President Ruto inspected the ongoing construction of the Kaihii Irrigation Project, which covers 1,600 acres.
It is expected to create up to 6,000 jobs and generate revenue of KSh720 million a year.
Additionally, the President also inspected the construction of the Karugia Modern Market, a KSh55 million investment set for completion in two months.
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In Maragua Constituency, he commissioned the KSh1 billion Maragua Ridge Irrigation Development Project. With a water storage capacity of 860,000 cubic metres, it will support irrigation on 800 acres and create more than 12,000 jobs.
In Makuyu, Maragua Constituency, he laid the foundation stone for the construction of the affordable housing project.
In Ol Kalou Town, Nyandarua, President Ruto visited the stalled 142-bed JM Kariuki Memorial County Referral Hospital, a county facility, which will offer inpatient, outpatient, imaging, laboratory, emergency, and maternal and child healthcare services.
The President said the National Government will take over the construction of JM Memorial County Referral Hospital Hospital and complete it at an expected cost of KSh800 million.
He said the hospital would be a big boost in the provision of quality, accessible and affordable universal healthcare.
President Ruto also flagged off the Last Mile Electricity Connectivity project at Jua Kali Stage in Ol Kalou Town.
Later, the President inspected the Ol Kalou Town Affordable Housing Project and laid the foundation stone for the Engineer Modern Market in Kinangop Constituency.
