Deputy President William Ruto has pledged to ensure university and college students get interest-free loans if he ascends to power this year.
Ruto, who is running for the presidency under the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party, said his administration will convert the Higher Educations Loans Board (Helb) loan into a grant, in addition to increasing the amount disbursed to students.
“We want to make sure that loans from the Helb do not have any interest rates. The amount of money disbursed to the students is so small. We need to increase the amount so that the comrades can have enough to take care of their educational needs,” Ruto said.
“And in future, we will make the Helb a grant, not a loan, especially to the vulnerable students from poor backgrounds.”
Speaking on Tuesday in Kitui County where he drummed up support for his State House bid, the deputy president also promised to ensure the funds are disbursed to students on time and that they are not listed on the Credit Reference Bureau (CRB).
“We will also fast-track the process of releasing the funds. Most university students receive the money when they are very broke. We will also make sure no person appears on the CRB for defaulting on their student loan,” he added.
Ruto’s main challenger in the August 9th presidential election Raila Odinga of the Azimio la Umoja coalition has also promised to make the HELB loan a grant.
But HELB, through its CEO Charles Ringera, has opposed the proposal, insisting that the board already issues a grant to university students.
“This is money paid to students in universities through the Differentiated Unit Cost (DUC) and they do not pay it back,” Ringera stated.
Makamu wa Rais Ndugu Samoei…
Makamu wa Rais Ndugu Samoei anapewa ulinzi mkali sana na serikali kuliko makamu wa rais yeyote tangu Kenya ipate uhuru 12/12/1963!
https://youtu.be/OsiRoC4yQpg
Please people don’t elect…
Please people don’t elect this thief and lier. Last election he promised about fields and now he has no idea what’s the status of his promises.
I agree with you that Ruto…
I agree with you that Ruto is all but empty promises. He wants the power so he can steal even more from the Kenyan coffers. The kalenjins are trying hard to get Ruto elected so that they can all steal. People need to wake up and understand the fake Ruto and bus lies..
I didn’t Know they Charged…
I didn’t Know they Charged Interest on HELB??
It’s a pain. Late fee on…
It’s a pain. Late fee on default is 5k a month. Employment creation and eliminating corruption must be priority
Pay up your HELB loan. Do…
Pay up your HELB loan. Do not wait for fake promises from this proven thief/Conman/ Arap Mashamba to pay it for you because it will never happen.
@mugikuyu I agree with your…
@mugikuyu I agree with your sentiment. Ruto is a man of promise after promise. I urge you to kindly educate your gikuyu people about Ruto fake promises.
@Bmore they will…
@Bmore they will begrudgingly come around although Raila does not need their votes to win.
Arap Mashamba will even…
Arap Mashamba will even charge more interests on loans so he can have enough to steal from. Can anyone trust this nugu on any promises he makes? Ruto is the most useless fella and he can not even make a good Ward chief.
Where have been for the past…
Where have been for the past 40 years you have been in government to start making the empty HELB promises now Ruto.
10 years as the DP and now is the time your lunatic head realize helb needs to be reorganized. Kubafu wewe Ruto.
Also develop a thick skin and stop attacking Ngilu for telling Kenyans the truth about your wizi. Charity is bigger that you 100% because you have converted your little boy self in being a thief. Also remember Charity is not Rachel the woman that you beat every freaking night.
You should go talk to your Mose to give you good manners to stop attacking women when they speak the truth about your corruption episodes. Ana Ngina told us you were not brought up well. Your dirty mouth shows it Ruto. Mwizi Ruto.
There is no any other person…
There is no any other person in the history of kenya who have openly been accused and called a thief by ordinary and government officials like WSR.
If you see smoke in the distance, it is a big sign that fire is coming. With what is out there in the public domain about Ruto’s theft tendencies, I have come to believe that Ruto is a thief.
He stole Mzee Muteshi’s farm, Weston land acquired through corruption, etc. All these things confirms that Ruto is a true thief. He also lies too much to save his skin like a Murogi..
So I urge all Kenyans of goodwill not to vote for Ruto because it has been Proven that he is a thief. A country can’t be led by a thieving president.
Remains to be seen.
Kenyans…
Remains to be seen.
Kenyans have been promised heaven by POLITICIANS only hell to be delivered.
From free education, free milk, free laptops etc etc…
All politicians make…
All politicians make promises. Period.