President William Ruto has called on MPs to expedite the passage of the Finance Bill to secure essential funding for the education sector.

During the 5th Graduation ceremony at Garissa University on Thursday, President Ruto emphasized the urgency for the National Assembly to act swiftly to ensure a strong educational foundation for schoolchildren.

The government has allocated Ksh660 billion to the education sector in the 2024/2025 budget, covering all levels of education. This includes funding for the hiring of Junior Secondary School teachers.

“I am requesting the Members of Parliament who are here to expedite what is in parliament so that we can transition these well-deserving teachers who have been teaching for the last two years and make them permanent and pensionable,” Ruto stated.

The President also highlighted the importance of passing the bill to maintain the school feeding program. He pointed out the new funding model for universities that allocates resources based on student needs.

President Ruto noted that 80,000 students had not applied for scholarships or funding, applauding the parents of these students for their patriotic act, which allowed the government to focus resources on those in need.

“I am asking our members of parliament that every child in Kenya deserves a chance, and for them to expedite the work they have in parliament to make these loans and scholarships available to our children,” he urged.

The budgetary allocation for the Higher Education Loans Board is Ksh62 billion, intended to provide scholarships and loans to university students.

However, Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung'u warned on Wednesday that proposed amendments to the Finance Bill could lead to a Ksh200 billion revenue shortfall. This shortfall could result in cuts to critical sectors, including education and internships, if the amended Finance Bill is passed by Parliament.