President William Ruto speaks when he hosted members of Friends Church at State House, Nairobi, August 3, 2026. /PCSPresident William Ruto has pledged Sh500 million for the construction of hostels at Kaimosi Friends University and an additional Sh50 million to support the establishment of a peace centre.
Speaking on Monday when he hosted members of the Friends Church at State House, Nairobi, Ruto said the commitments were part of his administration’s efforts to transform infrastructure and support development projects across the country.
The President said he had taken note of requests made by the university leadership, including those presented by Vice Chancellor Prof Peter Mwita, and assured the institution that funding for the hostels had already been allocated.
“I have recorded all you requested me here at the university, and I have heard from the vice chancellor. I want to assure you, vice chancellor, we have allocated Sh500 million for construction of hostels in Kaimosi,” Ruto said.
The construction of hostels at the university will sit on 5 acres of land and accommodate a 1,224-bed capacity. The President assured the institution that funding for these hostels has already been allocated.
The President also pledged an additional Sh50 million to support the establishment of a peace centre. Furthermore, it was announced that the institution shall be renamed Moses Substone Budamba Mudavadi University.
“So, Mr Mwita, I will give you Sh50 million to start the project. Just start, and I will support you along the way. But for now, I will give you a cheque of Sh50 million to start the project,” he said.
Ruto said the initiative reflected the importance of promoting peace and unity, adding that such investments were critical in strengthening social cohesion.
The President linked the projects to his administration’s broader infrastructure agenda, including the visionary Infrastructure Fund, a public investment vehicle aimed at financing large-scale development projects.
The fund is designed to help mobilise private capital, reduce dependence on public borrowing and accelerate implementation of key national projects.
“I have said the roads we constructed in 50 years are 20,000 kilometres of tarmac roads. In the next seven years, we want to construct another 28,000km,” he said.
The government has committed Sh340 billion as initial seed capital for the fund, with the money coming from asset rationalisation and privatisation proceeds from state assets.
The fund will be overseen by an independent board of directors and a governing council to enhance accountability, with targeted projects including the planned upgrade of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and expansion of regional transport networks.
During the meeting, members of the Friends Church pledged their support for Ruto’s 2027 re-election bid, while Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi assured Kenyans that the next General Election would be peaceful.
