President William Ruto (standing), Uasin Gishu County Governor Jonathan Bii (second left), MSME Principal Secretary Susan Mang'eni (right), and youths during National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (Nyota) activation at Eldoret Sports Club on January 08, 2026.
President William Ruto has criticised the opposition for what he called interference in the education system, insisting that qualified students are entitled to admission to any school under the national placement policy.
Speaking on Thursday during the launch of the Nyota Project at Eldoret Sports Club, Dr Ruto appeared to refer to his former deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, accusing opposition leaders of introducing tribal politics into education.
“We cannot allow some of these leaders to interfere with education policy and divide our children along tribal lines,” the President said.
Mr Gachagua recently questioned why Grade 10 students from the Mt Kenya region were admitted to schools outside the area, arguing that some bright pupils were placed in under-equipped institutions despite local investments in schools such as Alliance and Mang’u High School.
Some leaders allied to Mr Gachagua have proposed regional quotas to protect these community investments.
President Ruto defended the current placement policy, calling for transparency and accountability in managing public resources. He said his administration has allocated Sh44 billion towards school capitation and streamlined the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) to enhance learning.
A group of parents outside Starehe Boys Centre and School on January 2, 2025 where they had gone to seek clarity on the admission of their children for Grade 10.
“We have already disbursed 50 per cent of the capitation funds to ensure schools receive money on time. The remainder will also be released to ensure smooth learning,” he said.
Dr Ruto also defended the Nyota Project, describing it as a programme to empower youth economically and promote fairness in fund allocation.
In the North Rift alone, about 9,500 applicants received Sh50,000 each, totalling Sh475 million to support youth-led enterprises.
The initiative, which targets unemployed youth, attracted more than 88,000 applicants in its first phase. “This programme is meant to benefit deserving youth and will be managed transparently, unlike past initiatives,” he said.
President William Ruto (standing), Uasin Gishu County Governor Jonathan Bii (second left), MSME Principal Secretary Susan Mang'eni (right), and youths during National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (Nyota) activation at Eldoret Sports Club on January 08, 2026.
The President added that beneficiaries would be equipped with business and entrepreneurial skills to access procurement opportunities at national and county levels.
“We want the youth to participate meaningfully in the economy. Use this money wisely. For those who missed out, do not give up—apply in the next phase,” he said.
Dr Ruto also highlighted other government programmes, including affordable housing, digital job creation, and the export labour initiative, and urged Kenyans to cultivate a savings culture.
He noted that National Social Security Fund savings had grown from Sh312 billion to over Sh600 billion in two years, with a target of Sh1 trillion next year.
The President challenged the opposition to offer practical solutions for youth unemployment rather than engage in divisive politics. “I have always told the opposition to present a clear plan. We have no time for guesswork—we must move together to develop our nation,” he said.
Cooperatives and MSME Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya described the Nyota Project as a game changer for youth empowerment, while Sports CS Salim Mvurya urged beneficiaries to invest the funds wisely and avoid misuse.
