Ruto warns politicians: Keep learners out of politics, focus on nurturing talent
His remarks come days after a dramatic protest by Butere Girls High School students during the national drama festivals in Nakuru.
President William Ruto has warned political leaders against dragging learners into political battles, saying the government will take firm action against those attempting to use students for selfish interests.
Speaking at State House in Nakuru during a ceremony to honour the winners of the 2025 Kenya National Drama and Film Festival, the President said the government would not allow the minds of children to be influenced by divisive politics or negative ethnicity.
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“There is more to celebrate than negativity. I will not allow this beautiful country to go down the drain because of leaders who want to satisfy their selfish agendas. Leave learners alone and take politics elsewhere,” Ruto said on Wednesday.
His remarks come days after a dramatic protest by Butere Girls High School students during the national festivals in Nakuru.
The students refused to stage their play, Echoes of War, which had earlier qualified for the national event but was blocked from performance. The play was written by former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, who was later arrested in Nakuru.
The Butere Girls students, who had travelled under police escort to Melvin Jones Academy in Nakuru on April 10, sang the National Anthem and walked off the stage in protest.
Moments later, police fired tear gas to disperse a crowd that had gathered in solidarity with the students, forcing the learners to retreat into their school bus.
Without directly naming the play or the incident, the President said the government would be tough on those trying to manipulate children for political gain.
“As leaders, parents and teachers, we will not allow the minds of children to be corrupted. We must protect children from predators who want to corrupt them with negative ethnicity and politics. We will deal with such people decisively,” he said.
Ruto encouraged parents and teachers to support students in all areas of development and urged them to provide safe spaces for creativity and learning.
“I urge parents and teachers to continue supporting learners in sports, arts and academics and enable them to realise their dreams,” he said.
President Ruto also noted that following a 2023 directive, 470 drama tutors had been promoted by the Teachers Service Commission.
He reaffirmed the government's commitment to strengthening education and technical institutions to unlock learners’ potential.
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