President William Ruto has announced that the government will recruit 1,800 teachers from Northern Kenya in the next term under an affirmative action programme aimed at addressing persistent teacher shortages in the region.
The initiative is expected to improve both access to education and learning continuity by prioritising the hiring of teachers from local communities, a move also seen as critical in enhancing security in schools.
Speaking while presiding over the Women Empowerment Programme at Mandera Stadium in Mandera County, President Ruto said the plan is part of a broader effort to address long-standing inequalities in the region.
“We are correcting decades of neglect in Mandera County,” said the President, noting that Northern Kenya has historically lagged behind in access to essential government services, including education.
He emphasised that recruiting teachers locally would not only fill staffing gaps but also ensure stability in schools, as locally recruited educators are more likely to remain in their communities.
“We are building a united Kenya grounded in peace and equal opportunity for all. Together, we will end discrimination and shape a stronger nation,” he added.
The President defended his administration’s focus on Northern Kenya, stating that the region had been overlooked for decades.
“Northern Kenya was not created when I became President. It was there, but it was forgotten, and I have no apologies to make to anybody for righting the wrongs of 60 years and making sure this part has access to development and government programmes like any other part of Kenya,” he said.
The announcement has been welcomed as a significant step toward bridging educational disparities and promoting inclusivity in national development.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, who also addressed the gathering, framed the initiative within a broader national agenda of unity and inclusion.
“The next General Election will be a contest between tribalists who believe Kenya belongs to them and President William Ruto, who wants to leave a legacy where every community and religion will be recognised as citizens of our country,” said Duale.
The teacher recruitment programme is expected to significantly ease the burden on understaffed schools across Northern Kenya while advancing the government’s commitment to equitable development and national cohesion.