NAIROBI, Kenya (BG) — President William Ruto has announced that the government will recruit an additional 20,000 teachers to sustain improvements in education following recent gains in student performance.

Speaking Thursday in Elgeyo-Marakwet County during the commissioning of the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) Kerio Valley Campus, Ruto credited the improved Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination results to the government’s increased investment in the education sector.

“The teachers we hired, the facilities we provided and the additional budget we have committed have begun to bear fruit,” Ruto said.

He noted that the government has already employed 56,000 extra teachers in the past two years, contributing to better performance in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects. He also highlighted significant academic improvements among girls.

The President emphasized that the recruitment of 20,000 more teachers will further support schools nationwide and sustain the positive momentum in education outcomes.

Ruto pledged to increase budgetary allocation to KMTC in the next financial year, including 600 million Kenyan shillings (about $3.9 million) to hire 400 tutors.

He stressed the importance of ensuring every constituency and county has well-equipped and fully staffed institutions to support health personnel training.

Government Expands Education and Infrastructure Investments

He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening Kenya’s education sector through expanded funding and infrastructure development.

Students at Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) are now eligible for loans from the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), with the President noting that the student-centered higher education funding model has provided financial stability for public universities and prevented their collapse.

Earlier, Ruto commissioned Liter Girls High School in Tot, Marakwet East, rebuilt after a mudslide destroyed it five years ago.

He urged parents to enroll their children in the school, hoping it would grow to accommodate at least 1,000 students.

The President also revealed that the government has allocated 100 million Kenyan shillings ($650,000) to rebuild other regional schools to ensure all children return to class.

Beyond education, he announced plans to construct permanent military barracks in the Kerio Valley to enhance regional security.

Ruto also praised Community Health Promoters for expanding universal health coverage, noting that Elgeyo-Marakwet ranks third in Taifa Care registration under the Social Health Authority.

Ruto was accompanied by Governors Wisley Rotich (Elgeyo-Marakwet), Fernandes Barasa (Kakamega), Jonathan Bii (Uasin Gishu), Cabinet secretaries, members of Parliament, and other leaders.