Education

The Committee underscored that this oversight is vital for addressing financial mismanagement, governance gaps, and any suspected wrongdoing.

Ruto noted that this move, combined with the 76,000 teachers already hired, will bring the total to 100,000 within three years.

The institutions say the prolonged delays have strained their budgets, affecting their ability to run smoothly and maintain the standards expected in higher education.

The Kenya Association of Private Universities (KAPU) told the legislators that despite submitting detailed claims to the Treasury and Ministry of Education, payments remain pending, leaving universities to cover costs from their reserves.

They argue that placing junior school teachers, many of whom are recent college graduates, in high-ranking roles undermines the experience and authority of established school heads.

So far, authorities have identified 87,000 ghost learners amid concerns of nearly Sh1 billion in capitation funds misappropriated. A total of 10 schools across 10 counties have also been found with no learners at all.

In an urgent application filed in Nairobi, Lawrence Omondi Chero accuses Vice-Chancellor Prof. Paul Kuria Wainaina of creating "tailor-made recruitment criteria designed to favour a preferred candidate" ahead of the end of his term on January 26, 2026.

The CS also revealed seven cases of impersonation, mainly involving adult candidates, warning that those responsible would face criminal prosecution, while the affected candidates’ results would be cancelled in accordance with the Kenya National Examinations Act, 2012.

More than 23,000 public primary school heads and the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) argue that the transition will ease administration and align schools with the ongoing Competency-Based Education framework.

The tutors said their one-year agreements with the Ministry of Education were meant as a transition into permanent employment, arguing that their low pay under the internship scheme is discriminatory and unsustainable.

The TSC chairperson said CBE is about upgrading competencies in curriculum design, assessment for learning, classroom management, digital literacy, inclusive education, and reflective practice.

The petition calls on MPs to fast-track the entrenchment of the Constitution into the national curriculum. In his view, it should be compulsory and examinable like other subjects.

According to the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), the sector is grappling with an unpaid Sh11 billion owed for printing and publishing Grade 8 and 9 books since 2022.

Milemba said the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has no legal authority to hire teachers as interns, and that the practice is “wasting our teachers”.

Transition to SHA guarantees uninterrupted medical services and expanded benefits for over 400,000 teachers nationwide.”

Delegates representing more than 23,000 primary schools across the country cited the shortage of laboratories, workshops and ICT resources as major obstacles to effective implementation of the new curriculum.

Elite professionals, including lawyers, doctors, engineers and accountants, top the list of those who have not honoured their repayment obligations.

The looming transition has sparked anxiety within the teaching fraternity, with unions demanding a full breakdown of how the new scheme will operate.

The latest award came weeks after the group announced that its international campus had received recognition during World Teachers’ Day activities this year for creativity in teaching and learning.

Ogutu, a teacher at Sky Schools in Dar es Salaam, was shot dead on October 29, 2025, while his compatriot, Fredrick Lorent Obuya, was unlawfully arrested and detained by Tanzanian security forces on October 31.

This comes amid reports that John Okoth Ogutu, a Kenyan teacher at Sky Schools in Dar es Salaam, was reportedly shot dead during the post-election unrest in the neighbouring country.

According to Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, the incidents, reported as of November 6, 2025, span Nyanza, Rift Valley and Eastern regions.

The 10 secondary schools that have been closed include Kiria Secondary in Nyandarua, Dr Machage Moheto in Migori, Ragia Forest High in Kiambu, Mugwandi Mixed in Kirinyaga, Friends Bulovi in Kakamega, Loiwat High in Baringo, Ngamba Secondary in Murang’a, Sintakara Secondary in Narok, Maji Mazuri Mixed in Baringo and Fr Leo Staples Girls in West Pokot.

The ministry’s clarification follows widespread reports indicating that senior boarding schools would begin charging a uniform annual fee of Sh53,554 under new guidelines.

The CS explained that no ministry officers had been interdicted because the verification exercise, which began on September 5, 2025, was still ongoing.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba condemned the incidents as a serious breach of exam rules that endangers genuine candidates.

UASU Secretary General Constantine Wasonga confirmed that the unions had accepted a two-phase payment plan, to be completed by June 2026.

Tunza Mtoto Coalition is demanding that within seven days, the Ministry publish the complete verification report on ghost students, disclose the names of implicated schools and the magnitude of enrolment discrepancies identified.

Schools must also issue clear fee structures at the start of the academic year, designate official payment channels, provide receipts and may allow instalment payments for parents.

The council stressed that collection will only be allowed for institutions that have cleared all pending examination fees.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said all measures had been put in place to guarantee a smooth and credible examination process despite the ongoing short rains affecting several regions.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said multi-agency teams are already on the ground assessing the situation and making arrangements to relocate affected learners.

The university administration has appealed for patience and cooperation, promising to resume academic activities promptly once normal operations can continue.

Despite the restrictions, governors argue that counties are best positioned to understand the needs of local students and should be allowed greater control.

On the contentious 2017-21 arrears, unions initially cited Sh7.94 billion, while the Salaries and Remuneration Commission placed the figure at Sh624 million.

Under the plan, Sh2.16 billion will be paid out in the 2025-26 financial year. This will be followed by two equal instalments of Sh2.80 billion in 2026-27 and 2027-28.

Results for the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) will be released from December, while KCSE results are expected in January 2026.

Thousands of current and former TUK employees risk losing their life savings amid allegations of negligence and fund misuse.

The programme aims to upgrade over 600 learning institutions, offer 10,000 scholarships, and provide digital skilling for teachers across the country by 2030.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna condemned what he termed the “persistent and systemic non-payment” of allowances to teachers, saying the delays have deeply demoralised the teaching workforce.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba explained that the change is designed to reduce pressure and unhealthy competition among young learners.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba told the National Assembly’s Education Committee that KNEC’s approved budget for the 2024/25 financial year allocated Sh5.9 billion for national assessments and examinations.

Education CS Julius Ogamba said the affected schools are newly established and are being assessed before funds can be disbursed.

noted that the government had made adequate preparations to ensure all national examinations run smoothly and are released on schedule.

The centre, based at the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, brings together personnel from the security agencies, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of ICT, and the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC).

PS Omollo explained that the Interior Ministry is working closely with the Education Ministry to provide security and logistical support.

Ogamba noted that the government will not fund reconstructions, stressing that all costs must be borne by parents and school administrations to prevent future disruptions

Education PS Julius Bitok says all missing papers have been replaced, exams are running smoothly, and new smart digital padlocks are securing KJSEA containers nationwide.

A verification exercise conducted across 91 public institutions has so far unearthed 1,208 forged certificates from a sample of 53,000 cases submitted to the Kenya National Resources Region Council.

The event, held in Mwatate Sub-county, recognised outstanding ECDE teachers for their commitment to nurturing young learners, honoured retirees for their years of service, and underscored the county’s efforts to strengthen the foundation of education.