NAIROBI, Kenya May 7 – President William Ruto has directed the Ministry of Education to fast-track the full digitisation of education records across the country within the next two months, in a sweeping move aimed at improving accountability, planning, and transparency in the sector.
Speaking during the Second National Education Conference in Naivasha, the President said the digital overhaul, in collaboration with Konza Technopolis, will also help eliminate cartels and seal loopholes in education financing.
“I have instructed the Ministry of Education to, in the next two months, complete digitising all education details of all learners to promote accountability,” Ruto said.
The President revealed that a recent verification audit uncovered major discrepancies in school enrollment data, including 87,000 ghost students in secondary schools, 800,000 fake pupils in primary schools, and 200 non-existent schools across the country.
He warned that the irregularities had cost taxpayers billions of shillings.
“Government was paying Sh1.2 billion every year for learners that did not exist,” he said, adding that investigations were ongoing into possible collusion within the education system.
Ruto also urged education stakeholders and union leaders to encourage school administrators to adopt the e-Citizen platform for fee payments instead of cash transactions, saying this would further improve transparency and reduce corruption risks.
He said the digitisation drive is part of broader reforms to modernise the education sector and ensure efficient use of public resources.
The President noted that education remains the government’s biggest investment, with the sector budget rising from KSh500 billion in 2022 to KSh702 billion in the current financial year, and projected to reach KSh767 billion in 2026/2027.
He said the government has recruited 100,000 teachers over the past three years, constructed 23,000 classrooms, and built 1,600 laboratories nationwide to support learning under the Competency-Based Education system.
He added that capitation funds are now being disbursed before school opening dates to avoid disruptions in learning.
Ruto defended ongoing curriculum reforms, saying they are transforming classrooms into spaces that promote creativity, critical thinking, and practical skills development.
He also highlighted reforms in higher education, noting that the student-centred funding model has expanded access while ensuring sustainability.
On Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), he said the government is strengthening institutions to align skills training with labour market needs, entrepreneurship, and industrial growth.
The President further called for urgent discussions on reducing the cost of school uniforms, saying high prices are becoming a burden on parents.
He also urged the conference to propose reforms to streamline the bursary system to ensure equitable and efficient distribution of education support funds.
The conference was attended by senior education officials, including Education Cabinet Secretary Migosi Ogamba, Principal Secretaries Julius Bitok and Beatrice Inyangala, Teachers Service Commission Chairperson Jamleck Muturi, and representatives from teacher unions and education associations.