President William Ruto has defended his administration’s education reforms, saying his government inherited a struggling system plagued by inadequate funding and acute teacher shortages, but has since taken decisive steps to stabilise and improve the sector. Speaking in Kisumu on Monday, the President said education remains a key pillar of his economic transformation agenda.
Ruto was addressing residents during the disbursement of funds to beneficiaries of the Nyota programme, where he highlighted measures taken to strengthen learning institutions across the country. He said the government has increased capitation to schools and employed more teachers to close long-standing gaps, especially in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions and universities.
“When we came into office, we found an education system with serious challenges. There was not enough funding and there were not enough teachers,” the President said, blaming past administrations for mismanaging the sector. He added that the reforms currently underway are aimed at restoring confidence and ensuring learners receive quality education.
The President stressed that empowering young people through education and skills development is critical to national growth. According to Ruto, Kenya’s youth represent the country’s greatest resource and must be equipped to earn a living and drive economic progress. “If we invest in our young people, we are securing the future of this nation,” he said.
Ruto also defended the government’s youth empowerment programmes, saying they are inclusive and free from discrimination. He noted that access to opportunities is based on merit and hard work, not tribe, political affiliation or social connections. “It does not matter where you come from or who you know. What matters is your willingness to work,” he said.
He further assured those yet to benefit from government programmes that more opportunities will be rolled out in the coming months. The President said his visit to Kisumu was deliberate and focused on development rather than politics, thanking residents of Kisumu, Siaya and Homa Bay for their support.
Ruto criticised his political opponents, accusing them of lacking a clear vision or alternative policies. He dismissed calls to return to past governance models, saying Kenyans want solutions, not divisive politics. The President urged citizens to support development-oriented leadership, reaffirming his commitment to delivering tangible results for learners and young people nationwide.
