Africa-Press – Kenya. Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot has responded to former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i following his recent remarks about the education sector.
Cheruiyot questioned Matiang’i’s position to critique current challenges, pointing to issues he says existed before the current administration.
Cheruiyot addressed Matiang’i’s comments that the education sector is in “total confusion and chaos,” saying the former CS was not in a position to lecture on education matters.
“Kuna watu wanatupatia lectures hapa, ati wanatuambia sijui education sector imefanya nini. You are the last person to lecture anybody in this education sector,” Cheruiyot said.
He argued that the Kenya Kwanza administration inherited a system facing teacher shortages and challenges with the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
According to Cheruiyot, schools across the country were experiencing an acute shortage of teachers when President William Ruto assumed office, a situation the current government has sought to address.
“Wakati Rais Ruto alichukua hatamu ya uongozi hakukuwa na walimu wa kutosha, lakini chini ya miaka tatu tumeandika walimu 100,000 (When President Ruto took office, there were not enough teachers, but within three years we have recruited 100,000 teachers),” he stated.
Speaking in Soin Sigowet, Kericho County, during a women empowerment programme and the elevation of Tabaita location, Cheruiyot also said the rollout of CBC in previous years faced challenges due to limited infrastructure, suggesting learners were transitioned without sufficient classrooms and learning facilities.
“CBC mlipanga na hamkuwa mumepanga hata mahali watoto wataenda kusomea wapi (You planned the CBC, but you didn’t even plan where the children would go to study)” he said.
He added that the Ruto administration has since constructed more than 24,000 new classrooms nationwide to support the CBC rollout and reduce congestion in public schools.
On funding, Cheruiyot said the government has increased investment in education, citing an allocation of Sh700 billion to support access to schooling and learning materials.
“Rais pia amepanga hii sector na kuweka Sh700 billion ndiyo watoto waweze kuenda shule na kupata masomo,” he said, while noting that challenges still exist.
“So much as we have challenges in the education sector, it is not where you, Matiang’i and others left it…,” he added, framing this as his personal view.
Cheruiyot’s comments come after Matiang’i, who is widely regarded as a potential 2027 presidential contender, outlined his perspective on the sector. Speaking at a separate forum, Matiang’i said, “What we are witnessing in the education sector is total confusion and chaos.”
He raised questions about government decisions on capitation and curriculum implementation, stating, “Mtu hawezi nipatia lecture kwa hii mambo ya education because I have it at the back of my mind. Tunaendaje Singapore na upuzi kama huu?”
Matiang’i also said his team had plans to stabilise the sector, promising that under his leadership, Kenyans would not experience the kinds of challenges currently being faced.
