Governor John Mruttu suspends loans to students over corruption

TAITA, KENYA: Taita-Taveta County Governor John Mruttu has suspended the issuance of university and tertiary institutions loans to students following complaints that the recent distribution of Sh 25 million loans to students was riddled with corruption.

The County administration has set aside Sh 50 million in this financial year to assist bright students from poor families benefit from bursaries, scholarships and loans to further their education.

Mruttu accused the County revolving fund committee of being insensitive to the plight of the poor students in the region.

“The distribution of loans to university and tertiary students was not done in accountable and transparent manner and that is why I have directed the County Executive (CEC) member in-charge of Education to stop the exercise as needy students were left out in the process,” he said on Monday.

Education CEC member Jemimah Tuja and Deputy Speaker Chrispus Tondoo said the distribution of loans was not done fairly.

“The loans committee drawn from the four Sub-Counties in the region messed up with the distribution exercise. The exercise should start afresh,” she said.

Tondoo said there was huge discrepancy in the allocation of loans as majority of poor students were left out in the exercise.

“There is hue and cry all over the region as some students were awarded a paltry Sh 7,000 loans while others Sh 100,000. Those who were awarded Sh 7,000 owes their institutions over 70,000 fee arrears and it will be impossible for them to continue with their university education,” he noted.

The Deputy Speaker who is also the Bomani Ward Representative said all post primary school students should be considered and given the opportunity to advance their education in different institutions like youth polytechnic, secondary, university among other tertiary institutions.