Ruto Orders Chiefs To Ensure That All Kids In Their Locality Are In School With Or Without School Fees

By Robai Ludenyi,

President William Ruto has directed that all learners report to school this Friday, insisting that no child should be left behind due to financial challenges or the absence of school uniforms. Speaking in Meru during the launch of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) business support program, President Ruto made it clear that provincial administration officers, including chiefs and assistant chiefs, must ensure that every child is in school for the start of the first term.

“There is enough money in the system to educate our children. No child should be denied the right to learn because of school fees,” he said. “I want every child, whether they have school fees or uniforms or not, to be in school tomorrow morning.”

The Head of State emphasized that the transition from primary to junior secondary school under the new Competence-Based Curriculum (CBC) should not be delayed because of financial hurdles. According to him, the government has already allocated Ksh 44 billion to support schools this term, and these funds are meant to ensure that all students can start their studies without delay.

President Ruto’s call comes at a time when school attendance has been worryingly low. As of Wednesday, January 22, the Ministry of Education reported that only 930 students out of 1.13 million registered for the 2025 Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA) exams had reported to school.

Education Cabinet Secretary, Julius Ogamba, said the ministry has sent teams across the country to follow up on students who have not yet returned to school. The government’s swift action shows a commitment to ensuring that no child misses out on education, even in situations where families are struggling financially. By issuing this directive, President Ruto is sending a strong message: education is a priority, and financial barriers should never stand in the way of a child’s future. He urged school administrators, local leaders, and parents to work together to make sure every learner is in class when the first term officially begins.

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