Kisumu — President William Ruto on Monday used the launch of the NYOTA programme in Kisumu to mount a robust defence of his administration's education reforms, saying his government is deliberately fixing a broken system inherited from the previous regime.
Speaking at Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Mamboleo, the President described young people as Kenya's greatest national asset and argued that investing in education remains the most powerful way to empower them and secure the country's future.
He said the Kenya Kwanza administration had prioritised education funding and staffing to address long-standing structural weaknesses that had left schools and universities on the brink of collapse.
"Our young people are the greatest resource we have as a nation," President Ruto said.
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"That is why education is not optional. It is the greatest empowerment we can give to our children."
Ruto accused the previous administration of mismanaging the education sector, citing acute teacher shortages, delayed and inadequate capitation, and chronic underfunding of public universities and technical institutions.
He said at least 21 public universities were facing possible closure due to insolvency when his government took office.
In response, the President said his administration has significantly increased capitation to public schools and reformed the disbursement process to ensure funds reach institutions on time.
He noted that, for the first time in years, capitation funds were released before learners reported to school, allowing administrators to plan effectively and keep classrooms running smoothly.
"This month, money for capitation was already in schools before students arrived," he said.
"That is how you show seriousness about education."
To address staffing gaps, President Ruto said the government has hired 100,000 teachers, describing the move as the most aggressive teacher recruitment drive in the country's history.
He said the additional teachers are easing pressure on overcrowded classrooms and improving the quality of instruction, particularly in public primary and secondary schools.
The President also said his administration has injected additional funding into universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to stabilise their finances and safeguard access to higher education.
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He said the support was aimed at reversing years of neglect that had pushed institutions into debt and undermined learning.
While outlining the reforms, Ruto took a swipe at the opposition, accusing it of lacking a credible alternative agenda and resorting to criticism instead of offering solutions.
He dismissed what he termed "lectures and pontification" from leaders he blamed for the current challenges in the education sector.
"We are simply fixing your mess," he said, adding that the opposition had made opposition itself an occupation rather than a platform for ideas.
The NYOTA programme, which focuses on youth empowerment through skills development, enterprise support and job creation, was launched as part of the government's broader strategy to link education with economic opportunity.
