Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) secretary general Collins Oyuu has described President William Ruto as a “perfect teacher.”
Oyuu spoke on Saturday during a colourful meeting at State House. The gathering brought together more than 10,000 representatives from teachers’ unions and associations across the country.
Oyuu Praises Ruto’s Leadership
In his speech, Oyuu applauded Ruto’s ability to lead with clarity and confidence. He compared the President’s style to the very best in the classroom.
“I listened to His Excellency, and I want to be very frank… when we went to college, no one taught like this man. Your Excellency, you are a perfect teacher. From now on, I will imitate you,” he said, drawing applause from the crowd.
The union boss also suggested a new platform for regular dialogue between teachers and the presidency. He proposed a biennial forum dubbed “Walimu na Rais.”
Teachers Call for Peace in Schools
Oyuu stressed the importance of peace in schools, noting that calm environments improve performance.
“This sector needs peace more than ever. All performing schools have peace, and this country needs peace for education to thrive,” he said.
Ruto Highlights Education Achievements
President Ruto used the event to highlight progress made in the education sector. He said his administration had raised the education budget from Sh540 billion to Sh702 billion in just three years.
He also pointed out that 76,000 teachers have been recruited. By January, the number will reach 100,000 to improve the teacher-student ratio.
Other achievements include the construction of 23,000 classrooms, the establishment of the Open University of Kenya, and a new student-centred funding model for universities and TVETs.
Ruto assured teachers that the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) transition had been streamlined after consultations with stakeholders.
Broad-Based Government
The event was one of the largest teacher gatherings in recent years. Closing his remarks, Oyuu backed Ruto’s push for inclusivity, declaring: “Kumi bila break, broad-based government is the way to go.”
