President Ruto Commits KSh 2 Billion to Clear Part of Government's Debt to Methodist University
President William Ruto has announced a pledge of KSh 2 billion to settle a portion of the outstanding debt owed by the government to Kenya Methodist University (KEMU). The commitment was made during a meeting at State House, Nairobi, on February 20, 2026, where he hosted a delegation from the Methodist Church in Kenya.
Ruto explained that the arrears stem from the government sponsoring students to study at the institution without fully remitting the required fees, stating, "We sent students to you; you taught them, but we did not pay you." He emphasized that the allocation, targeted for the next financial year and specifically by June, aims to ease the university's financial burden and enable it to sustain essential educational services for Kenyans.
The President revealed that the total government debt to both public and private universities exceeds KSh 120 billion, but assured that these obligations will be addressed progressively. He highlighted successes under the new student-centered funding model, which has stabilized finances and averted bankruptcy for 21 public universities. The pledge forms part of broader discussions on government-church collaboration, including support for infrastructure projects, health initiatives like equipping Mau Methodist Hospital with oncology facilities, and compensation for church properties affected by past invasions.
Church leaders welcomed the announcement, with Presiding Bishop John Maromba affirming the Methodist Church's role as a development partner in areas like education, health, peace, and justice, renewing their covenant of cooperation with the government. Deputy President Kithure Kindiki commended the church's values rooted in hard work, saving, and generosity. Ruto also called on the church to help combat youth drug abuse through moral and spiritual guidance, underscoring that state interventions alone are insufficient for such societal challenges. The meeting reinforced mutual support between the government and the church amid ongoing efforts to fund national development priorities.
