President William Ruto has announced the government’s plan to recruit an additional 20,000 teachers starting January 2026. Speaking at the 2025 Labour Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens on May 1, Ruto revealed that the government has allocated Sh2.4 billion for this recruitment, which is set to improve the student-teacher ratio and further strengthen Kenya’s education sector.
This move comes after the government’s concerted efforts to alleviate the teacher deficit, which was estimated at 116,000 in 2022. In the past two years, the administration has successfully hired over 76,000 teachers, with 46,000 being permanent staff and an additional 20,000 interns in January 2025. This progress has significantly reduced the gap, demonstrating Ruto’s commitment to enhancing education quality across the country.
The president highlighted that the government is also investing heavily in teacher capacity building, with Sh1.6 billion earmarked for this purpose. Furthermore, Sh1 billion has been set aside for teacher promotions, ensuring that educators not only receive more support but are also incentivized for their dedication. These investments are expected to improve literacy and numeracy outcomes, particularly in rural and underserved regions.
Addressing the challenges faced by the education system, particularly overcrowded classrooms and high pupil-teacher ratios, has been a priority for Ruto’s administration. The recruitment of more teachers aligns with the government’s broader goals to provide quality education and support the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), which demands personalized teaching and continuous assessment.
Ruto emphasized that teachers are “essential drivers” of national development and reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to improving their welfare and working conditions. The additional hiring of 20,000 teachers in 2026 is another step in ensuring every Kenyan child has access to quality education, thus supporting the country’s Vision 2030 development agenda.
