Hundreds of teachers gathered at the State House this morning for a special engagement with President William Ruto, where he outlined key government commitments to the education sector and beyond.
The programme began with Principal Secretary (PS) Bitok welcoming all the teachers before introducing the Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Education, who wished the gathering a successful session. The CS then welcomed President Ruto, who took to the podium with a wide-ranging address.
President Ruto spoke on various national issues, including the recruitment of more teachers this year, the strengthening of healthcare under the Social Health Authority.
He also talked of the the government’s efforts to reduce debts across 22 universities, including the University of Nairobi. He also highlighted progress at the Konza Technopolis, where advancements in information technology are creating jobs. He noted that Kenya is exporting skilled labour to countries abroad.
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However, the major announcement of the day was his pledge to teachers regarding the government’s affordable housing programme. “Today, we are going to sign an MoU for teachers to get 20 per cent of affordable housing across the country. That is how we change a nation. That is how you change a nation,” he said to resounding applause.
The President reminded teachers that the government’s housing agenda has long been a priority. He recalled working with former President Uhuru Kenyatta to appoint PS David Hinga to drive the housing programme, underlining the continuity of the vision.
By promising a dedicated 20 per cent share of affordable housing units, President Ruto framed teachers as central to nation-building and assured them of the government’s recognition of their role.
The announcement is expected to significantly boost morale among educators, many of whom face challenges in accessing affordable housing in both urban and rural areas.
By Joseph Mambili
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