Africa-Press – Kenya. President William Ruto has hit back at critics, linking them to a period he said was marked by serious challenges in Kenya’s education sector.
Speaking in Kisumu during a youth empowerment event, Ruto said his government inherited a struggling education system in 2022, which he described as marked by inadequate funding, teacher shortages and universities facing serious financial strain.
“Back then, in 2022, education had problems. Capitation was low, teachers were not adequate, funding for education was not enough, university programmes were collapsing,” Ruto said.
“We are fixing the education programme that was broken,” he added.
The President responded to recent criticism from opposition figures, including former CS Fred Matiang’i, saying those who previously managed the sector were not best placed to question the ongoing reforms.
“I am seeing some leaders trying to lecture us about the education system,” Ruto said. “We want to tell them, we are fixing your mess. You messed up the education system. There were no teachers in class, there was inadequate capitation, there was not enough money for universities and TVETs.”
Ruto claimed that at least 21 public universities were facing possible closure due to financial difficulties when his administration took office, urging critics to allow the government space to stabilise the sector.
“Twenty-one universities were facing closure. Please spare us the lectures. We are simply fixing your mess,” he said.
The President defended his administration’s record, saying progress has already been made, particularly in financing and staffing, according to his account.
He said capitation funds are now being released in good time to support smooth school operations.
“Today, we have more money going to capitation. This month, money for capitation was in schools before learners reported back,” Ruto said.
He further said his government has hired 100,000 teachers to address shortages his administration found on taking office.
“We have hired 100,000 teachers to fix the shortage you left behind,” he said, before criticising the opposition. “You are an opposition without an alternative.”
Ruto’s remarks come amid renewed debate over the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), which Matiang’i has recently commented on publicly.
The former Interior Cabinet Secretary, who previously served as Education CS, said the current challenges facing the sector are less about the curriculum itself and more about how reforms are being implemented.
“Education policies, regardless of the framework, require competent leadership, careful planning, and institutional stability to succeed,” Matiang’i said.
He said CBC has been unfairly linked to problems that, in his view, stem from management and governance challenges. “There is nothing wrong with the CBC. The present challenge is in the incompetent and chaotic management of the education sector,” he said.
Matiang’i referred to Kenya’s past education transitions, including the implementation of the 100 per cent transition policy, as examples of reforms he said succeeded due to deliberate planning, adequate infrastructure and staffing.
He said such gains could be reversed if coordination and oversight weaken.
