Ruto says Ksh.44B released to ensure students' smooth transition to senior school

The government has released Ksh.44 billion to ensure the transition of 1.13 million students from junior school to senior school proceeds smoothly, President William Ruto has said.

The President assured parents that schools will access the funds, which were released this week, before students report to school.

He said this will ensure that all junior school students have the opportunity to advance to senior school.

“I want to assure parents across Kenya and all stakeholders that we have made adequate arrangements for schooling in the next year,” he said.

Adding: “No child will miss the opportunity to go to Senior school in January."

President Ruto made the remarks during a church service at Covenant Church International at Rotian, Narok County, on Sunday.

He was accompanied by Governors Glady Wanga (Homa Bay) and Ken Lusaka (Bungoma), Narok Senator Ledama ole Kina, MPs and MCAs.

The President explained that the government has hired more teachers, saying by January the total number of teachers hired since 2023 will stand at 100,000.

Additionally, he said the government has built 23,000 classrooms while the construction of 1,600 laboratories will be completed by March 2026.

“We have hired the largest number of teachers in Kenya's history; we have built the largest number of classrooms and have addressed the confusion in Competency Based Education and Training,” he said.

At the same time, President Ruto told politicians introducing petty politics and unnecessary propaganda into the education of children to keep off.

He also pointed out that the education budget has not been reduced as claimed by a section of politicians.

President Ruto asked his competitors to stop relying on propaganda and empty rhetoric and instead present an agenda and plan for the country.

In addition, he challenged them to account for their time in positions of leadership by explaining to Kenyans their track record.

He said Kenyans cannot afford to waste time on leaders who have nothing to offer.

“I want to challenge my competitors to explain their track record because they have been leaders in this country. I can show my track record as a leader; let them show us theirs. And let them give us their plan,” he said.

The President said the government has established the National Infrastructure Fund and the Sovereign Wealth Fund to help raise funds to fast track the country's development plans.

“That is how we are going to change Kenya from a third-world to a first world economy,” he said.

President Ruto asked Kenyans to register with the Social Health Authority, the organisation spearheading the government's delivery of Universal Health Coverage.

“We want to ensure that no Kenyan sells their property to pay for medical bills,” he said.

On matters that are critical to Narok County, the President announced that the government has handed over the Mau Forest title deed to the county government and is in the process of fencing off the forest.

He noted that this brings an end to the politicisation of Mau Forest, telling those who have been using it as a campaign agenda to look for another plan.

On Kedong land, President Ruto said 10,000 acres had already been returned to the community and were now available for allocation to residents of Narok County.

The President said the government, in partnership with the Narok County Government, is also building an international airport in Narok to support tourism.

On electricity connection, he explained that the government has set aside KSh1.5 billion to connect residents of Narok County to power.

He said the government is also building 14 modern markets in the county at a cost of KSh1.5 billion.

“We have also allocated KSh6 billion for affordable housing and KSh2.5 billion to build student hostels for 5000 students,” he added.

Governor Lusaka commended President Ruto’s development track record, saying the country is witnessing unprecedented transformation.

He pointed out that this will easily earn the President a second term.

Governor Wanga, who is also the chair of ODM, said the party is keen on working with the Kenya Kwanza Alliance under the broad-based government to ensure inclusive development.

"No part of the country should be left behind," he said.

Senator ole Kina, who is also an ODM member, said the party will continue working with President Ruto in the broad-based government in line with the wishes of former leader Raila Odinga.