President William Ruto third State of the Nation address on 20 November painted an upbeat picture of education reforms but glossed over deep challenges threatening the Competency-Based Curriculum rollout.
The 90-minute speech focused heavily on economic recovery and infrastructure while highlighting the hiring of tens of thousands of teachers and rising TVET enrolment as proof the Kenya Kwanza government had stabilised the sector.
Uneven CBC rollout
Ruto made no mention of the January 2026 transition of the pioneer CBC cohort from Grade 9 to senior school, a move experts warn could turn chaotic without urgent action on infrastructure gaps and teacher shortages.
Junior secondary schools, hosted in primary school compounds since 2023, remain the weakest link. Laboratories are scarce especially in rural areas and Teachers Service Commission admits a nationwide deficit of nearly 100,000 teachers, with STEM subjects worst affected.
Internships and broken promises
The President touted recruitment of 76,000 teachers since 2022 and promised another 24,000 by January, taking the total to 100,000. He did not disclose that most of these positions are filled by interns on temporary contracts, a policy that has triggered protests, court cases and threats of strikes unless they are confirmed permanently.
During the 2022 campaign Ruto pledged to hire 116,000 teachers in his first two years, a promise that remains unfulfilled.
Capitation crisis persists
For the second year running the address ignored the crumbling Free Day Secondary Education programme. Per-student funding has fallen from the promised KSh22,244 to around KSh15,000-16,000 this year, leaving day schools that serve most learners cash-starved.
Delayed capitation disbursements are now routine, forcing some schools to close early, ration food or send pupils home. Head teachers say arrears run into billions of shillings and suppliers are suing schools over unpaid bills.
Unions reject new medical scheme
Ruto also stayed silent on the plan to migrate over 400,000 teachers from private medical cover to the Social Health Authority from 1 December.
Unions have rejected the switch over inadequate consultation and fears benefits will be inferior. Many teachers worry the new scheme, still struggling with hospital debt backlogs, cannot match the current overseas treatment and specialised care.
Looming strike threat
As the first full CBC cohort prepares for senior school pathways in STEM, arts and sports or social sciences, unions warn the government faces a critical test. Without new staffing norms for the pathways, cleared capitation arrears and a transparent medical deal, classrooms could empty again in January.
Education stakeholders left Parliament acknowledging real gains but viewing them as fragile, with the toughest tests of Kenya Kwanza reform agenda still ahead.
