Deputy President William Ruto promised to revisit the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) monies should he be elected President in August.
Speaking in Kwale County on Tuesday, March 29, Dr Ruto stated that he sympathized with university students over the poor distribution of Helb loans and his government will move to streamline the fund.
Foremost, his government will do away with interest rates that students are charged when repaying for the credit. He termed the interests as punitive and oppressive to young people seeking to establish themselves.
The DP will also ensure that the funds are disbursed on time to avoid scenarios where students demonstrate or abscond studies to seek upkeep money while in university or college.
Ruto's basis was formed on his opinion that what the government currently allocates for Hleb is not enough to cater for learning and upkeep for comrades. To ensure that students are not strained while studying, his administration would revise the budget.
Listing students in the Credit Reference Bureau (CRB), he noted, further demoralised them and he promised that the listing will be scrapped off if he becomes the head of state.
According to the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) presidential aspirant, listing students is unnecessary as most of them need clearance to secure their first jobs.
Ruto also announced that he will change Helb from a loan to a grant that will facilitate higher learning and avoid oppressing young people.
"We want to revise Helb and the funds that are given. We want to first remove the interest and because that money is very little it should be increased so that comrades can have enough to pay for their needs," Dr Ruto stated.
"I know the money comes very late and people are struggling at that time. We will hasten the process and make sure no one is listed in CRB because of Helb. In future we will make the fund to be a grant, especially to the needy children," he added.
His comments stirred debate online. A section of Kenyans wondered whether he was making empty promises or planning to truly transform the fund.
One Joe Kioi tweeted that he was listed in CRB due to delays in paying Helb loans and if Dr Ruto's government would sort that issue, millions of other Kenyans like him would enjoy a reprieve.
"This is why I was put on CRB like seriously, I have hustled so hard to clear this loan... a government that doesn't care for its young people. The next administration must make this loan a grant," he lamented.
"This was one of the proposals that would benefit the youth under the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) but you chose to oppose it. Aki kura wewe," a tweep, Ratego Kevin wrote.
"All I have realized about politicians is they tell us what they think we want to hear so we can vote for them," Kim Bo, opined.
"Huyu msee anajua the exact problems facing Kenya as a country now I hope sio siasa tu (I hope the DP knows the exact the problems Kenya is facing as a country and just politicking," Junior mantx_ added.