Kenya Universities’ Students Organization (KUSO) has appealed to President William Ruto to increase his gift amount from Ksh180 to Ksh500 per student.
This plea KUSO indicates comes amidst a backdrop of economic challenges and a sincere desire to ensure that students receive adequate support during their academic journey.
“The initial gift of Ksh180 per student, bestowed by President Ruto during his visit to Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT) was met with gratitude by the student body. However, recognizing the ever-increasing cost of living and the financial burdens carried by many students, KUSO, felt compelled to advocate for a higher stipend,” read the KUSO statement in part.
However, recognizing the financial challenges faced by many students, KUSO, led by President Antony Manyara, has advocated for an increase in the gift amount to Ksh500 per student.
“While we appreciate President Ruto’s generosity, we believe that increasing the gift amount to Ksh500 per student would provide more meaningful support to our fellow comrades,” remarked Manyara.
Ruto Gifts Students Cash
As earlier reported, Students from the Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT) were set to receive a total amount of Ksh180 each from President William Ruto.
The University in an April 9, 2024, memo noted that it had resorted to dividing a total amount of Ksh1 million among the students which was gifted to them by the head of state.
Ruto had on March 26, 2024, gifted the students the money when he visited the higher learning institution for an event.
According to the memo seen by The Kenya Times, the students are to receive the amount following a public participation exercise conducted amongst them on how to distribute the money.
Also Read: University Students to Receive Ksh180 Each from Ruto Ksh1M Gift
“The university through the Directorate of Students’ Welfare conducted a public participation amongst students through a Google form between Tuesday 2 April 2024 to Thursday 4 April 2024,” read part of the memo.
Student Body Disapproves Administration Decision
Yesterday, the student body voiced their disapproval of the administration’s decision regarding the distribution of a donation from President William Ruto.
The Dedan Kimathi University of Technology Student Organization (DeKUTSO) opposed the division of Ksh1 million, contributed by President Ruto, among all undergraduate students present during the semester.
Expressing their discontent in a statement released earlier, DeKUTSO stressed that the decision to split the donation equally among students was made without consulting the student leadership body, thus undermining their authority and representation.
Nicholas Ngetich, the Secretary General of DeKUTSO, issued a statement condemning the administration’s unilateral action.
“The decision was made without our input, and we strongly disagree with the decision. Therefore, we treat this as an act of undermining the students’ leadership body,” Ngetich asserted in the statement.
The rift between the administration and the student body stemmed from the manner in which the decision was reached.
Esther Nthiga, the Director of Student Affairs, revealed that the university conducted public participation among students via a Google form.
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However, despite this attempt at inclusivity, the student leaders’ body felt sidelined in the decision-making process.
According to Nthiga, the results of the public participation revealed that 51% of students favored the equal distribution of the funds, while 36.5% preferred a luncheon and 35.5% suggested allocating the money to the students’ bursary.
Despite the plurality of opinions, the administration opted to proceed with the equal distribution of Ksh180 to each undergraduate student during the January-April 2024 semester.
