Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has assured Kenyans that the Kenya Kwanza administration remains fully committed to supporting free primary and secondary education, with no intention of cutting funding to the critical sector.
Speaking during an economic empowerment event in Kanduyi, Bungoma County, on Saturday, DP Kindiki said the government is determined to safeguard and build on the gains made in education, citing increased budgetary allocations and teacher recruitment efforts.
“The Kenya Kwanza Administration will go out of its way to make sure we don’t roll back the gains that the country has made in assuring free and compulsory primary and secondary education,” he said.
DP Kindiki announced that the government has allocated over Sh700 billion to the education sector in the current financial year, marking one of the largest investments in recent times. The funds will cater for improved teacher salaries, enhance learning infrastructure, and support the implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
“Former Presidents Kibaki and Uhuru instituted reforms in the sector that we are building on to make it better. We will not accept going back,” he added.
He further revealed that 76,000 new teachers have already been employed since President Ruto took office in 2022, with plans underway to hire an additional 24,000 before the end of the year. “With an extra 100,000 teachers, the shortage in public schools has been significantly addressed,” he said.
On economic empowerment, Kindiki defended the nationwide forums, explaining that they are not meant to hand out money to individuals but to support registered groups and Saccos to invest in income-generating ventures.
The Deputy President also highlighted government efforts in reviving agriculture, improving healthcare, road infrastructure, and boosting electricity connectivity. He noted that Mumias Sugar Factory is now paying farmers weekly, and similar efforts are underway at Nzoia Sugar and other factories.
In Bungoma, he announced the revival of stalled roads like Musikoma-Navakholo and Misikhu-Brigadier, and the construction of 26 modern markets across the county.
DP Kindiki was joined by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka, and other senior leaders at the event.
