Speaking on Thursday during the NYOTA capital disbursement event in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, the President accused his former deputy of attempting to politicise school placements along ethnic lines, warning that such rhetoric risks undermining national unity and fairness in education.
Ruto said the government remains committed to ensuring that no child is disadvantaged based on their region or community, stressing that Kenyan learners must be treated equally regardless of ethnicity.
“We do not want any county, region or community to be left behind. We must move together as one nation,” Ruto said.
“Let nobody divide our children based on being Kikuyu, Luo, Luhya or Kalenjin. Anyone without a clear agenda will resort to selling tribal politics.”
The Head of State accused Gachagua of exploiting the ongoing Grade 10 placement process to advance divisive politics, arguing that schools should remain safe, neutral spaces focused solely on learning and character development.
“They have now gone to our schools to divide our children. How desperate can one be? Let our children be. Let them learn,” Ruto said. “These children are Kenyans first, regardless of the community they come from.”
The President’s remarks come barely two days after Gachagua, who is now the leader of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), called on school heads in the Mt Kenya region to prioritise learners from the area during the ongoing placement exercise.
While addressing supporters, Gachagua questioned why students from other parts of the country were being admitted to top-performing schools in Mt Kenya, such as Alliance High School and Mang’u High School, while local candidates were allegedly placed in lower-ranked institutions despite posting strong grades.
“Other people are being brought to our schools, yet our children are taken elsewhere even after performing better,” Gachagua said.
“There is confusion in the education system, and parents do not know what to do.”
He further linked the placement concerns to broader challenges surrounding the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), accusing the government of failing to provide clarity and consistency in education reforms.
However, Ruto dismissed the claims, insisting that the placement system is guided by national principles of equity, merit and inclusivity, not regional or ethnic considerations.
He further linked the placement concerns to broader challenges surrounding the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), accusing the government of failing to provide clarity and consistency in education reforms.
However, Ruto dismissed the claims, insisting that the placement system is guided by national principles of equity, merit and inclusivity, not regional or ethnic considerations.
He warned that allowing tribal narratives to influence education policy could reverse gains made in promoting cohesion and equal opportunity.
Education stakeholders and political leaders have since weighed in on the dispute, with several voices condemning remarks perceived as inflammatory.
Education stakeholders and political leaders have since weighed in on the dispute, with several voices condemning remarks perceived as inflammatory.
Some leaders have called for restraint, urging politicians to allow education officials to carry out their mandate without political pressure.
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