Reprieve for parents in banditry-prone North Rift region as Ruto directs reduction of secondary school fees

President William Ruto has ordered a reduction of fees for parents in the banditry-prone North Rift region in a bid to boost student enrolment.

Speaking on Thursday, Ruto announced that learners in three counties including Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, and Baringo will now pay only Sh5,000 annually in school fees, down from Sh30,000.

The initiative aims to increase student enrolment in regions severely affected by cattle raids and banditry, which have led to significant displacement and economic hardships for many families.

“We do not want to see any student stay at home due to lack of fees. The insecurity and natural calamities like floods have subjected many parents to economic challenges, and affirmative action will help boost student enrolment rates and education,” Ruto said.

He spoke during the opening of the new Liter Girls Secondary School in Marakwet East Sub-County, which was destroyed by mudslides in 2020, claiming 15 lives.

“We have built infrastructure and reduced school fees to encourage enrolment rates and promote education in regions that have experienced the effects of insecurity and floods,” Ruto said.

The pilot programme will begin in 10 secondary schools in Kerio Valley, including Liter and Cheptulel secondary schools in Sigor, West Pokot County.

The President also ordered the reopening of 26 schools that had been closed due to insecurity in the Kerio Valley region. He assured residents that measures had been put in place to address the security situation and achieve lasting peace.

“Some 13 schools are under renovation, while 10 others will be rebuilt next month to ensure that all closed schools due to insecurity are reopened for use by learners,” Ruto said.

School feeding programmes

He also announced plans to reintroduce school feeding programmes in the region, directing Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and East African Community, ASALs, and Regional Development CS Beatrice Moe Askul to coordinate the effort.

“We have enjoyed peace for the last two years, and the military and police deployed to crack down on criminals will pitch camp to facilitate long-lasting peace,” Ruto said.

The President also praised the performance of students in the recent Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams, particularly in science subjects, attributing the success to increased teacher recruitment and infrastructural development.

He assured parents that classrooms and infrastructure for Grade 9 learners were complete.

“More than 13,000 new classrooms have been constructed, and 3,000 more will be ready before the end of the year for a smooth transition to Grade 9,” the President said.

He urged parents to instil discipline in their children to ensure they become responsible citizens.

In a further boost to the region, the head of state announced the release of Sh100 million to the Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA) to increase its processing capacity from 100 to 500 tonnes annually.

During his visit, Ruto also commissioned the Kerio Valley Technical Training Institute and the Kerio Valley Kenya Medical Training Institute (KMTC) and also issued 15,000 title deeds to resolve land ownership disputes in the region.

He revealed that an additional Sh600 million would be allocated for the recruitment of 400 tutors to address staff shortages at KMTC institutions.

“The slashed funding has affected operations of most KMTCs, but we shall ensure that they are allocated more funds in the next budget,” Ruto said.

He further disclosed that his administration has allocated Sh500 million for electricity connections in Elgeyo Marakwet County, with an additional Sh600 million to be factored in the next financial year.

He encouraged more Kenyans to enrol in the Social Health Insurance Authority (SHA), emphasising the need for children from the early childhood development education (ECDE) level to the university level to be registered for universal healthcare services.

Ruto, who is on a two-day tour of the region, also inspected development projects in Marakwet West and Trans Nzoia County. He is expected to visit various development projects in his home county of Uasin Gishu.