President William Ruto has condemned rising political rhetoric over the placement of Grade 10 students in national secondary schools, warning against attempts to divide the education system along regional lines.
Speaking during the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) fund disbursement in Nakuru, the President said national schools are a shared national resource and must remain accessible to learners from all parts of the country strictly on merit. He dismissed claims that students from certain regions are being disadvantaged, insisting the placement system is designed to promote equity and fairness.
Ruto accused some politicians of fuelling the debate with what he termed reckless and divisive arguments, saying the government would not allow the creation of “new boundaries” for Kenyan children. “Our national schools must have access to all the children of Kenya equally,” he said.
The President also announced plans to disburse Ksh.5 billion to 100,000 youth through the NYOTA programme, targeting unemployed young people aged 19 to 29 who did not progress beyond high school. Additionally, the government will certify youths with prior skills through a recognition of prior learning programme.
His remarks come amid renewed debate sparked by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who has criticised the quota-based placement system, arguing that high-performing learners are unfairly locked out of nearby national schools despite significant investments in local institutions.
