On September 13, 2025, President William Ruto hosted 10,000 teachers at State House, Nairobi. The event, called the Walimu na Rais Forum, made headlines when each teacher received Ksh10,000 as transport reimbursement. In total, Ksh100 million was spent.
The gathering was the first of its kind. Teachers arrived as early as 3:00 am, eager to hear from the President. While Ruto described the forum as a professional engagement, critics believe it crossed into the mandate of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
Promises from the President
At the forum, President Ruto made several promises to teachers:
- Promotions for special needs teachers.
- Faster processing of NSSF benefits.
- A review of the teachers’ medical cover.
- New career progression guidelines.
- Twenty percent of affordable housing units reserved for teachers.
These pledges pleased many teachers. However, most of these functions fall under TSC, which is constitutionally mandated to manage teacher recruitment, promotions, and welfare.
Politics or Professional Engagement?
The President insisted the forum was not political. “I called you here not because of politics but so that we can talk on matters of education,” Ruto told the teachers.
Still, the timing raised eyebrows. With elections just two years away, analysts see the outreach as part of a wider political strategy. Similar delegations—boda boda riders, clergy, and traders—have recently been hosted at State House.
Concerns About TSC Independence
The Teachers Service Commission was established to operate independently of political influence. Critics argue that when the President makes promises on teacher promotions or medical cover, it undermines that independence.
The forum has reignited a bigger debate: how independent are Kenya’s independent commissions? For many observers, the event showed how executive overreach continues to weaken key institutions.
Teachers left State House with both cash and promises. But for Kenya, the bigger issue remains the balance between politics and institutional autonomy.
