NAIROBI, Kenya – President William Ruto has announced sweeping progress in the government’s plan to overhaul Kenya’s education system, including a record-breaking teacher recruitment drive and large-scale expansion of school infrastructure.
Delivering his State of the Nation address in Parliament, President Ruto said his administration has already hired 76,000 teachers in the past two years and expects to recruit an additional 24,000 by January 2026.
The combined 100,000 teachers, he noted, marks the fastest and largest recruitment in Kenya’s history.
The President said the sustained staffing effort is intended to address long-standing teacher shortages and support effective rollout of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
According to the Teachers Service Commission, Kenya faced a deficit of more than 100,000 teachers in both primary and secondary schools as of 2022, a gap that significantly strained learning, especially in rural and marginalised regions.
Ruto said his administration’s response—including recruitment, training, and improved working conditions—is geared towards easing pressure in classrooms and ensuring quality, personalised learning under CBC.
On infrastructure, the President highlighted joint efforts between the national government and the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF), which have delivered 28,000 new classrooms across the country.
Construction of 1,600 laboratories is also underway to reduce congestion and improve learning environments.
“These investments are giving CBC learners the dignified facilities they deserve,” Ruto told lawmakers.
The President also pointed to the rapid expansion of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.
Enrolment has more than doubled—from 341,000 students in 2022 to 718,000—reflecting growing uptake of courses in ICT, modern agriculture, engineering, hospitality and design.
He described TVETs as the engine of practical skills and a central pillar in preparing young Kenyans for an increasingly competitive job market.
Ruto added that the government’s education reforms are anchored in national values including equity, human dignity and sustainable development.
“In strengthening education at every level, we are giving life to the national values, ensuring every child has a fair chance to rise,” he said.
In January 2025, the government hired 46,000 teachers on permanent terms and 20,000 interns, marking one of the most aggressive recruitment phases to date.
The administration has repeatedly branded education as a priority sector, pledging continued investment in teacher welfare, school infrastructure, and skills development to position the country for long-term growth.
