Ruto gives Mandera TTC students Sh1m for lunch

President William Ruto on Tuesday gave Sh1 million to Mandera Teachers Training College students to buy lunch.

The President was in the college for inspection where he interacted and engaged with the trainees.

While speaking, Ruto called upon the president of the college and announced that he will hand over the cash to him to ensure the rest of the students get lunch.

“Who is the President of the school? Because I’m on the ground I will give you Sh1 million to buy them lunch,” the President said.

Ruto began a week-long tour of the North Eastern region.

The President said the government is enhancing infrastructure in learning institutions and recruiting more teachers in the North Eastern region as well as across the country to improve access to education.

This, he said, will ensure learners have equal opportunities, foster equity and ensure that no one is left behind.

He addressed the residents at Moi Stadium saying he is committed to dealing decisively with insecurity in the region.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Governors Mohamed Adan Khalif (Mandera) and Mohamud Ali (Marsabit), Cabinet Secretaries Aden Duale (Environment) and Eric Muuga (Water) and MPs were present.

The President said the government is keen on ending the marginalisation of northern Kenya through development and policy changes.

He emphasised that the days when the region was not regarded as part of the country are over.

“It is my responsibility to make sure Kenya is united and every Kenyan is treated equally,” he said.

He said that he will ensure the children of Northern Kenya are given the same opportunities as those in other regions.

“We will remove vetting in the processing of National Identification Cards and passports, which has discriminated against the people of North Eastern Kenya for far too long,” he pledged.

On infrastructure, the President explained that the government will expand the road network in the North Eastern region to open up the area and spur socio-economic transformation.

He noted that the government is building the 750km Isiolo-Mandera road to integrate the North Eastern region with the rest of the country.

He explained that the project is jointly funded by the World Bank, the African Development Bank, Arab banks and the Government of Kenya for KSh100 billion.

“Already, seven contractors are on site building the road,” he said.