President William Ruto has outlined a comprehensive strategy for the education sector heading into 2026, centering on a record-breaking expansion of the teaching workforce and the full transition of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).

Speaking during a church service in Narok on Sunday, December 28, 2025, the President confirmed that his administration is on track to meet its goal of hiring 100,000 teachers by January 2026.

This recruitment drive, described by the Head of State as the “largest in Kenya’s history,” is intended to address staffing shortages and support the shift of 1.1 million students from junior to senior secondary school.

The education sector has been granted a record KSh 702.7 billion in the 2025/2026 budget—the largest share of national expenditure.

Of this, KSh 387.2 billion is earmarked for the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).

“By January, we will have hired a total of 100,000 teachers,” President Ruto stated. “Every child—the 1.3 million children in Kenya—has a place to go to in senior school. Not a single child will miss a spot.”

The government aims to complete 1,600 laboratories by March 2026 and has already constructed thousands of new classrooms to accommodate the “double intake” of students and to complement the staffing increase.

Addressing concerns over school funding, the President noted that KSh 44 billion was released this week to facilitate the January transition.

He emphasized that capitation for senior schools will remain at KSh 22,244 per student, dismissing reports of potential cuts.

“We have made adequate arrangements to ensure the transition is smooth,” Ruto noted. “Resources will be in our schools before the children arrive.”

The President concluded by urging leaders to focus on “track records and agendas” rather than rhetoric, positioning the 2026 education reforms as a foundational step toward moving Kenya to “first-world status.”