Bold JKUAT Student Hits Out At William Ruto During Town Hall Engagement: "People Are Angry With You"

• Gichangi Gitonga was not pleased with how President William Ruto made promises to the public and allegedly failed to deliver on them
• The JKUAT secretary-general wondered why the president took the initiative to elaborate on the university funding model and not the officials appointed in the education ministry
• Gitonga claimed that JKUAT students threatened to impeach him if he failed to tell the president the truth

Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

Nairobi - President William Ruto has engaged with university students regarding the new university funding model, which has faced criticism from various Kenyans and learners.

During a town hall meeting on Sunday, August 25, Gichangi Gitonga, secretary general of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), took the opportunity to address the president on the model and other national issues during the town hall meeting at KICC.

Gitonga, expressing frustration over what he perceives as unfulfilled promises from the president, spoke candidly for nearly ten minutes. He criticised the president's approach to engaging with youths and students, accusing him of failing to deliver on commitments.

"We had a summit in Naivasha around June and the report that came was that we agreed to the model and our comrades were angry with us. We felt like we were being set up and used as rubber stamps. It is like what you are telling the people is just for formalities. We have spoken in many forums and I believe you have realised that people no longer clap much even to the best of points. There is a general exhaustion from the public," he began.

The financial engineering student questioned the rush to implement the new funding model and expressed concerns about the lack of student representation, suggesting that members of Parliament pursue positions for personal gain rather than genuine advocacy.

Why students don't benefit from bursaries

Gitonga highlighted the issue of rampant corruption, which he believes has made it increasingly difficult for the poor to access bursaries unless they have connections.

Additionally, Gitonga criticised leaders in the education ministry for their inability to communicate the details of the new funding model effectively.

"Corruption is the biggest public expenditure. In the country we live in, you must know somebody to get a bursary. Somebody said that once you get rid of the CDF, MPs will not be vying for these positions because they go there for their stomachs. Mr. President if you address that, I will have no issue electing you in 2027," he affirmed.

Why JKUAT students threatened to impeach Gitonga

He urged the president to address these education concerns thoroughly, particularly for students who have had to postpone their studies and are now being subjected to the new model instead of the one they initially started with.

Gitonga argued that failing to address these issues transparently could lead to serious political consequences, including his impeachment as a representative of the students.

"Mr. President, people in this room are angry because of two people, one is you. Before I came here I engaged with my people from JKUAT and they told me if I don't tell you the truth, I will be impeached. Allow me to put this as respectfully as possible, that you advise your advisors," Gitonga alleged.

When did Ruto pay his HELB loan?

While speaking at the same event, President Ruto disclosed that he paid his loan of KSh 69,000 with his first salary as a member of Parliament.

He stated that beneficiaries of HELB should not be forced to repay their loans until they secure employment.

Ruto also praised the model, stating it would majorly help students from humble backgrounds.

What else you need to know about the new university funding model

• The government said parents of needy students will only pay 5% of the total school fees
• The government shared a step-by-step procedure students placed in the wrong band can follow to appeal
• A University of Nairobi student leader who called for demonstrations to oppose the new funding model went missing

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke