President Ruto Issues Stern Warning on Illegal School Fees: Announces Measures to Improve Education System.

President William Ruto has issued a strong warning to school administrators charging illegal fees, emphasizing the government’s commitment to ensuring that Kenyan children remain in school. He directed the Ministry of Education to oversee the proper utilization of the recently disbursed Sh67 billion capitation fund and an additional Sh10 billion for NG-CDF as bursaries and scholarships for underprivileged students. Ruto declared it an offense for school heads to send students home due to fees, stating that the government is already taking care of their education, and he cautioned those introducing extra charges that the law would catch up with them.

Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu had previously issued directives for grade 7 and 8 learners, allowing candidates from the 2023 Kenya Primary Schools Education Assessment to join Grade 7 in Junior Secondary Schools hosted by their respective primary schools. Dr. Ruto expressed concern over the rising demand for money by school administrators, diverting attention from learners’ education. He reaffirmed the government’s stance against rogue teachers engaging in such practices.

During an interdenominational prayer service in Teso South, Busia County, Dr. Ruto announced plans to employ 56,000 new teachers to address staffing shortages, with Parliament expected to discuss hiring an additional 22,000 teachers. He also mentioned the intention to post 2,000 Tvet tutors to technical colleges to accommodate the growing number of students transitioning from primary and secondary schools.