Ruto defends education reforms during Maseno’s 120th Anniversary

President William Ruto at Maseno School during the school's 120th anniversary celebrations in Kisumu. Faith Matete 

Students at Madeno School during the school's 120th anniversary celebrations in Kisumu. Faith Matete 

President William Ruto has defended his government’s education reforms and increased funding to the sector, saying Kenya’s future depends on producing innovative, skilled and ethical graduates capable of competing globally. 

Speaking during the 120th anniversary celebrations of Maseno School in Kisumu county, Ruto said the government considers education the country’s most strategic investment and not merely a budgetary expense. 

The President said the education budget had risen from Sh500 billion in 2022 to Sh702 billion in the current financial year and would increase further to Sh767 billion in the 2026-27 financial year.

 “These are not merely figures in a budget. They represent classrooms built, teachers employed, laboratories equipped, opportunities expanded and dreams made possible for millions of young Kenyans,” Ruto said. 

He said the government had employed more than 100,000 teachers over the last three years in what he described as one of the most ambitious teacher recruitment programmes in Kenya’s history. 

At the same time, he noted, the government has constructed more than 23,000 classrooms and is building 1,600 science laboratories across the country, especially in regions that have historically lacked modern learning facilities. 

Ruto also defended the Competency-Based Curriculum reforms, saying the new system is designed to nurture learners according to their talents, creativity and career aspirations rather than forcing all students into one academic pathway.

 “Our goal is to empower every learner to discover their true potential early and pursue pathways that fully harness their gifts, whether in science, technology, arts, sports, entrepreneurship or technical skills,” he said. 

The President said Kenya’s prosperity would depend on its ability to produce innovators, researchers, creators and problem-solvers who can position the country competitively in a rapidly changing global economy. 

Ruto made the remarks as Maseno School marked 120 years since its establishment in 1906 by missionaries of the Church Missionary Society. 

He described the institution as one of Kenya’s most important centres of learning, whose history mirrors the country’s own educational and political journey. 

“There are schools that educate students, and there are institutions that shape the destiny of nations. Maseno School belongs to the latter category,” he said.

The President said the institution had remained a symbol of academic excellence, discipline and leadership for generations despite political and historical changes over the decades. 

He praised the school for producing distinguished leaders, scholars, scientists and public servants who have shaped Kenya and East Africa. 

Among the notable alumni he mentioned were Kenya’s first Vice President Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, scientist Thomas Risley Odhiambo, Barack Obama Sr and freedom fighter Achieng Oneko. 

Ruto toured several historical sites in the institution, including the famous Oseno tree, where the first six students reportedly studied, the house where Jaramogi taught between 1943 and 1945, and the chapel built in 1906. 

“These are not ordinary places. They are living chapters of Kenyan history,” he said. 

The President acknowledged that while the school’s academic standing had continued to rise, its infrastructure had not expanded at the same pace. 

He pledged that the government would work with the school administration, alumni and stakeholders to upgrade its facilities to match its heritage and status as one of Kenya’s premier institutions.