President Ruto has issued a stern warning to education officials engaging in extortion practices by demanding money from parents.
Especially under the false pretence of government funds not being disbursed.
Speaking at a Thanksgiving service in Busia County on Sunday January 21, Ruto expressed his awareness of the unethical behaviour some officials have adopted.
He regretted that some head teachers were pressuring parents to pay school fees when the government has already provided for what they require.
Ruto highlighted the government’s commitment to education by disclosing that it has disbursed a substantial amount of Ksh.60 billion to all learning institutions nationwide.
READ ALSO: Peter Salasya: I will be vying for Governor in 2027
Further, with an additional Ksh.10 billion allocated for bursaries to facilitate broader access to education.
He emphasized that the funds have been released, further urging education managers not to take advantage of parents by spreading misinformation about the government’s financial allocations.
Directly addressing the issue, Ruto stated,
“We have released Ksh.62 billion to our primary and secondary schools, Universities, and TVET institutions.
Including Ksh.10 billion in bursaries to our MPs so that even children from vulnerable families can go to school.”
Affirming the government’s dedication to enhancing educational access, Ruto revealed that 56,000 new teachers have been employed, with an additional 2,000 set to join TVETs in the coming week.
The strategic move aims to promote equality in education by ensuring that every child receives quality teaching.
Free education
President Ruto reiterated that primary education in Kenya is free and government-supported.
He clarified the subsidy provided to learners in boarding schools.
He outlined recent disbursements by the National Treasury, including Ksh.4.74 billion for free primary education in Term 1 and Ksh.7.6 billion as capitation for Junior Secondary Schools (JSS).
Moreover, Ruto highlighted the disbursement of Ksh.192 billion to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.
Education Principal Secretary Dr Esther Thaara Muoria explained that this injection of funds would support tuition, training materials, utilities, and co-curricular activities across the TVET institutions.
