Ruto Set for Re-election Endorsement as School Heads Prepare a List of Demands

Ruto to Receive Endorsement and Demands from School Heads

President William Ruto is expected to receive an endorsement of his re-election bid and demands from school administrators when he closes the 63rd Kenya Comprehensive School Heads Association (KECSHA) annual conference in Mombasa on Thursday.

More than 15,000 public school administrators have praised the government’s education reforms and investment. KECSHA chairman Fuad Ali has urged members to support Ruto’s second-term bid in the 2027 General Election.

Basic Education Principal Secretary John Ololtuaa asked delegates to remain until the official closure, saying capitation funds reach schools on time. He said the meeting allows school leaders to share ideas and discuss education.

Despite welcoming the government’s achievements, administrators want Ruto to address concerns about their careers, pay and authority under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system. These include slow career progression, disputes between primary school heads and Junior School administrators over managing comprehensive schools, and the status of teachers serving as acting heads.

They have also raised concerns about teachers’ medical cover under the Social Health Authority (SHA). Chief executive officer Mercy Mwangangi said more than 406,000 teachers and dependants had received services. However, she acknowledged complaints about inactive accounts, denied services, approval delays and exhausted benefits. SHA and the Teachers Service Commission have formed a team to address these problems.

Ali credited the government with employing 100,000 teachers and supporting CBE. The government plans to recruit another 20,000 teachers. It has also built more than 23,000 classrooms and plans to construct 1,600 laboratories.

Teachers’ unions say more action is needed. KNUT Secretary-General Collins Oyuu wants all school heads placed in Grade D1 and says acting heads should have proper authority. Administrators also want clear guidance on leadership and resource-sharing in comprehensive schools.

The conference has combined praise for government efforts with calls to resolve long-standing problems in school management and teachers’ welfare.