President William Ruto has defended the increased allocation to the education sector in the 2026/27 budget, saying the additional funding is a deliberate investment aimed at giving every Kenyan child an equal opportunity to succeed.
The President made the remarks on Saturday, June 28, while joining the Burieruri Boys Senior School (Burieruri High School) community in Maua, Igembe South Constituency, Meru County, for the school’s 60th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service.
He was accompanied by Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki and other leaders during the celebrations, which brought together alumni, education stakeholders, and members of the local community.
Speaking during the event, Ruto described education as the greatest driver of social mobility, saying it enables children from disadvantaged backgrounds to achieve their full potential.
“I speak as one and someone who believes profoundly in education’s power to transform nations. It is the greatest equalizer. It asks neither where a child was born nor where their parents are. It asks only how far they are willing to go,” the President said.
He said that belief has informed the government’s decision to prioritise education in national spending.
“That conviction explains our choices. We have treated education as the single greatest investment in Kenya’s future. That is why education receives the largest share of our national budget at almost 30%, rising from KSh526 billion in 2022 to KSh784 billion in the budget we have just passed this year,” Ruto added.
The President also announced KSh110 million for infrastructure development at Burieruri High School to address the shortage of learning facilities.
He said the school will receive 30 new classrooms, including 24 regular classrooms and four laboratories, with construction expected to be completed before December.
“Chairman wa shule amesema hii shule haina nafasi ya kutosha kwa vijana wetu na mimi nimekubali kwamba tutasaidiana na nyinyi kubadilisha hii shule yenu. Kwa hivyo nimekubali tutawajengea madarasa 30, madarasa 24 pamoja na laboratories nne na hiyo kazi nataka ianze tukamilishe kabla ya December,” he said.
To ensure the project begins immediately, Ruto directed that the first allocation be released next week.
“Tumekubaliana kwamba CS wangu Bw. Erick Muriithi ataleta drawings ya shule hiyo na mimi nitatumana pesa next week ya kuanza kujenga hayo madarasa. Nataka nikiondoka hapa mnipatie akaunti ya shule ndio tuanze kujenga, miezi tatu nne tuwe tumemaliza hiyo kazi,” the President stated.
Ruto further said the government would also construct a multi-purpose hall after learning that students currently spend their lunch breaks outdoors.
“Pia hapa nimeambiwa vijana wanakaa nje wakati wa lunch, kwa hivyo nimekubali vilevile tutawajengea multipurpose hall. Nimeamrisha Waziri wetu Bw. Ogamba atafutane na Waziri Alice Wahome wakuje wajenge hiyo multipurpose hall. Tutatoa KSh40 million ya kujenga madarasa na KSh70 million ya kujenga multi-purpose hall tumalize hiyo kazi hii shule iinuke,” he pledged.
Following the Thanksgiving service, the President continued with a public rally at the Maili Tatu Centre, Igembe Central, Meru County, stating that in the coming election year, he will shock his competitors, whom he said have no agenda, while he has one, which citizens have seen.
