Kwale Senator Issa Juma Boy/Screengrab
Kwale Senator Issa Juma Boy has sparked debate online after alleging that President William Ruto helped him secure Sh2 million to pay school fees for his son, who is studying medicine in Dubai.
Speaking during a public gathering in Kwale county, the senator recounted an encounter with the President about three months ago when he was facing financial challenges.
"Mimi
nilikuwa na mtoto alikuwa anasoma Dubai, mtoto wangu anasomea udaktari.
Nilikuwa na shida na pesa, milioni mbili. Rais akikuja hapa Kwale nikamfuata
nikamweleza shida ya kijana wangu anayesoma udaktari. Aliniambia, 'Senator,
njoo kesho nikupatie milioni mbili umlipie yule mtoto school fees,'" he claimed.
This is translated to mean: "I had a son who was studying in Dubai. My son is pursuing a degree in medicine. I was facing financial difficulties and needed Sh2 million. When the President came to Kwale, I approached him and explained the situation of my son, who was studying medicine. He told me, 'Senator, come tomorrow, and I will give you Sh2 million to pay your son's school fees."
The senator then asked residents whether the President deserved their support, with the crowd responding, "Anafaa."
He further argued that although the student is his son, he is also from Kwale county and would eventually serve the community after completing his medical studies.
"Huyu kijana ni wangu lakini anatoka Kwale county. Kesho akija si atasaidia watoto wa Kwale? (This young man is my son, but he is also from Kwale county. When he comes back, won't he serve the people of Kwale?"), he posed.
Following the remarks, a section of Kenyans on X shared differing opinions about the senator's comments.
Some users questioned whether the example reflected a broader public benefit.
One user, Mohammed, argued that many families in Kwale continue to face challenges such as school fee arrears, shortages of medicines in public hospitals and limited access to bursaries, saying those issues should remain a priority.
Another user, Joshua, wrote: "Like seriously... must we elect him because he paid your child's school fees?"
Louis said he would have preferred the President to be praised for initiatives that directly benefit a wider section of Kenyans rather than personal assistance to an individual.
George also questioned why a sitting senator sought school fees assistance from the President, commenting: "A whole senator asked for school fees from the President, seriously?"
The remarks
have since generated discussion online, with supporters viewing the story as an
example of the President's willingness to assist individuals, while critics
argue that leaders should be assessed primarily on policies and development
programmes that benefit the public.
