The Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National
Administration, Dr. Raymond Omollo, has shrugged off criticism against the
government’s score in funding the education sector and reiterated an unwavering
commitment to strengthening it.
The PS defended the Kenya Kwanza administration’s
progressive efforts in placing education at the heart of the country’s national
planning and development strategy.
Amid growing concerns over budget constraints, Dr. Omollo
provided a detailed breakdown of notable strides in the past two and a half
years.
Key among them, he highlighted the allocation of the largest
share of the 2025/2026 national budget to the sector, which received
approximately Sh702.7 billion.
“What does that tell you?” Dr. Omollo posed.
“That for the first time in the history of this country, you
have a president, a government, and an administration that takes matters of
education seriously.”
This investment, he said, speaks louder than speculation.
“And these are not just stories. These are things that, if
you look around, you can see. Let’s take stock – not just of where we are – but
where we want to go as a country.”
The government has also recruited thousands of new teachers
across the country, with 76,000 teachers hired in a record two years, and
another 20,000 set to be onboarded by the end of this year in a deliberate
effort to bridge the persistent student-teacher ratio.
“Universally, the acceptable ratio should be 1 to 25.
Despite the massive investment that President Ruto has put in place, there
still exists a big gap that has built up over many years. It is our commitment
to ensure education is accessible, affordable, and of high quality,” Dr. Omollo
emphasised.
He made the remarks in Malava, Kakamega County, where he
accompanied Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi to an engagement forum
with teachers.
Dr. Omollo also hailed the ongoing accelerated
infrastructure development drive, with over 23,000 new classrooms built in the
last two years.
He emphasised that these efforts aim to improve the quality
of learning and restore dignity to the teaching profession, which has long been
burdened by limited resources.
Further, the PS acknowledged the pain felt by teachers and
other salaried workers under the new universal health coverage framework.
However, he urged the public to look at the bigger picture,
highlighting the government’s vision of comprehensive healthcare coverage for
all.
“Previously, only 5 million Kenyans were covered under NHIF.
Today, over 25 million Kenyans are enrolled under the Social Health Authority.
“We have jobs and payslips – but we must carry those who
don’t. That’s the meaning of shared prosperity.”
Dr. Omollo also outlined the government’s job creation
strategy, spotlighting the Affordable Housing Program as a multi-pronged
initiative that provides shelter, dignity, and livelihoods.
With over 6 million Kenyans living in informal settlements,
the program, according to the PS, is more than a housing agenda.
It is a strategic move set to create 3 to 5 jobs for every
new house built.
The goal, he explained, is to double the number of “payslip
holders” from 3 million to 6 million, easing the burden on the few who
currently sustain the economy.
