Ruto orders VCs to withdraw 'misleading' admission letters

President William Ruto addresses Nyaribari Chache residents during the commissioning of Kisii Cancer Center. [Sammy Omingo, Standard]

President William Ruto has ordered the withdrawal of university admission letters issued to students without using the newly developed needs assessment tool.

The president’s order comes a day before the closure of applications for scholarships and the Higher Education Loans Board funds.

This is the second time universities have been forced to withdraw admission letters.

Ruto said the letters were not customised to individual cases of learners. He accused public universities of manipulating the fees students should pay.

He said every learner should have a customised admission letter that suits the financial needs of their family and the exact amount required in fees.

“I am asking all VCs to ensure the right letters have been issued and every parent is given information on how much their children are going to pay,” said Ruto.

Speaking when he launched projects in Kisii and Nyamira counties in his last day of a three-day tour, the President warned VCs against ignoring the new system of customising fee structures.

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“Those vice chancellors should be part of the solutions but not part of the problems. They should issue the right letters which we have validated with the new needs assessment tool according to financial ability,” he said.

He also warned VCs against inciting students to protest against government policies.

At Borabu, he launched a 61-kilometer road connecting Bomet, Nyamira and Narok counties.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua asked leaders across the country to support the President’s programmes.

Solicitor General Shadrack Mose praised the new needs assessment tool for university entrants as a game changer.

MP Clive Gisairo (Kitutu Masaba) petitioned the President over delayed issuance of national identification cards to students admitted to university.

“Your excellence there are thousands of young people who are supposed to join universities and colleges but cannot apply for Helb loans because their IDs are stuck in Nairobi and yet the deadline is tomorrow,” he said.

Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo asked the President to help the county rehabilitate 26 dams.

“Our women have had problems of water for far too long. We only pray that the national government helps in rehabilitating the dams which are fast disappearing if no urgent measure is taken,” he said.