President William Ruto has announced the recruitment of 600 additional teachers in Mandera County in a move aimed at addressing the persistent teacher shortage in northern Kenya.
Speaking on Thursday during the issuance of Nyota funds to youth in Mandera, the president acknowledged the long-standing staffing crisis in the region, largely attributed to insecurity and frequent transfers of non-local teachers.
He said the government is determined to ensure that learning continues uninterrupted despite the challenges.
“Many teachers who are teaching students in northern Kenya come from Kisumu, Eldoret, Siaya, Central and Coast. Why shouldn’t we have teachers from northern Kenya?” Ruto posed, emphasizing the need to build local capacity.
Over the years, schools in Mandera and neighboring counties have struggled with staffing gaps after teachers from other regions sought transfers citing safety concerns.
The shortages have disrupted learning, with some schools forced to operate with minimal staff or combine classes.
Ruto said recruiting more teachers from within the region will not only stabilize schools but also create employment opportunities for local graduates.
He assured residents that the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) would fast-track the process to ensure classrooms are adequately staffed.
The announcement comes as the government rolls out several development initiatives in northern Kenya, including youth empowerment programs under the Nyota fund.
Leaders in the region welcomed the move, saying it could restore confidence in the education sector and improve academic performance.
Education stakeholders note that sustained security improvements and local recruitment could provide a long-term solution to the staffing crisis that has affected northern Kenya for years.
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