President William Ruto on Sunday expressed confidence that
the country is on the path to achieving first-world status, insisting Kenya has
the potential needed to compete with developed nations.
Speaking during centenary celebrations at Alliance High School in Kiambu county, Ruto reiterated his administration’s commitment to moving the country to a first-world status.
The President said he has held talks with a number
of first-world countries and that he’s convinced Kenya is moving in the right direction.
“There is absolutely no reason why Kenya cannot be as good
as the countries in the first-world status,” he said.
“I have had discussions with the Prime Minister of Malaysia,
Prime Minister of Singapore and the President of South Korea, Kenya has what it
takes to move to the next level.”
He called on Kenyans to back the government’s efforts in transforming
the country. “Dear Kenyans, we can do it, and we must do it.”
Ruto said his administration is
focused on strengthening key sectors of the economy while addressing
long-standing gaps in the education system.
He said reforms introduced in the education sector are aimed at improving the quality, equipping
learners with practical skills and aligning training with the needs of the
modern job market.
“We will continue knowing that education is a right of every Kenyan
and not a privilege for the children of a few.Today, we have substantially solved the challenges we had in
our education system.”
Ruto highlighted the recruitment of 100,000 teachers, a new university funding model and an extra 23,000 classrooms across the country
as some of the interventions that have saved the sector.
During the event, Ruto announced a Sh550 million allocation
to support projects and various programmes at Alliance High School.
These included an additional Sh155 million dormitory, dining
hall (Sh88 million), Sh60 million for 40 new classrooms and a sports academy at a cost of Sh100 million.
The President also extended a Sh155 million dormitory to the
neighbouring Alliance Girls as well as 24 classrooms at Sh40 million.
The girls’ school will also get an additional Sh100 million to
complete the Science Complex, which is at 50 per cent done.
He said the investment is part of the government’s broader
plan to improve learning institutions across the country.
The President maintained that strengthening schools will
play a critical role in nurturing future leaders and professionals who will
drive the country’s economic transformation.
“As we develop the infrastructure, we are doing it because the education
of the children of Kenya is central to the transformation of this country,”
Ruto stated.
He added that the government will continue investing in
education reforms to ensure learners are equipped with skills that match global
standards
The President was accompanied by Senate Speaker Amason
Kingi, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, PS Basic Education Julius
Bitok, former CS Mose Kuria and National Assembly Majority Leader and area MP
Kimani Ichung’wah.
Bitok lauded Ruto for the huge investment in the education sector,
something he noted has never happened in the past.
“Today, Sh700 billion budget is going to education, something
that has never happened since the beginning of the country,” Bitok said.
