Ruto puts mathematics teacher to the test, gets unexpected answers

A mathematics teacher left her colleagues amused and President William Ruto laughing after struggling to solve several salary-related calculations during the President’s address at a teachers’ conference in Mombasa

The light moment happened on Thursday, November 12, 2026, during the closing ceremony of the 63rd Kenya Comprehensive School Heads Association (KECSHA) annual conference, where Ruto was explaining his government’s proposed changes to Pay As You Earn (PAYE).

Before starting the exercise, Ruto called on a good mathematics teacher to come forward and help him demonstrate how the proposed tax changes would affect workers’ take-home pay.

He then asked the other teachers to give their colleague time to work out the answers, saying, “Acha mwalimu atuambie, mwalimu wa hesabu.”

Ruto used the example of a teacher earning Ksh50,000 and asked Beatrice Racheal to calculate 1.5 per cent of that amount, representing the employee’s contribution to the Affordable Housing Levy.

Despite having a calculator, Beatrice struggled to work out the answer, initially giving a figure far off the mark.

“Ksh750 million,” she said, prompting jeers from her fellow teachers.

When Ruto asked her to clarify the figure, she went on to say, “Ksh 50 million,” prompting the President to burst into laughter.

Ruto then clarified the correct amount, asking, “750 shillings, si ndio?” to which Beatrice responded, “Yes.”

The mathematics exercise continued as Ruto explained the proposed increase in the PAYE tax-free threshold from Ksh24,000 to Ksh32,000.

He asked Beatrice to identify the difference between the two amounts, and she correctly answered Ksh8,000.

Ruto then explained that the government was proposing to remove PAYE from the additional Ksh8,000, which he said would translate to a Ksh2,000 saving for workers, based on the 25 per cent tax rate used in his example.

The teacher correctly calculated 25 per cent of Ksh8,000 as Ksh2,000.

However, the next question proved more challenging.

Ruto asked her to calculate the difference between the Ksh2,000 in proposed PAYE savings and the Ksh750 housing levy contribution.

Beatrice initially answered, “We have 150,000,” prompting Ruto to respond, “No, no, no,” as he laughed.

She eventually arrived at the correct answer of Ksh1,250.

“Yes. So, nataka mnisikize, walimu,” Ruto told the audience, urging teachers to listen to his explanation.

William Muthama is a digital journalist with a focus on entertainment, human interest, and current affairs. Share stories: [email protected]/ [email protected]

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