President Ruto to Host Over 3,000 Teachers at State House

President William Ruto will on Friday host over 3,000 education stakeholders at State House Nairobi in a high-level consultative meeting with union leaders, school heads, and senior government officials.

Officials from the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut), the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet), the Kenya Primary Schools Heads Association (Kepsha), and the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (Kessha) are among those invited. The forum will also include representatives from the Ministry of Education, the Teachers Service Commission, and the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development.

However, the Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (Kusnet) was not invited. Secretary-General Joshua Torome confirmed that the union had not received a formal invitation, raising concerns about the scope of representation in the discussions. Although the official agenda has not been released, union leaders have indicated they plan to present key issues affecting educators and the wider education sector. 

Knut Secretary-General Collins Oyuu confirmed receipt of the invitation and said the union is preparing to participate. He has directed all 110 branch secretaries to mobilise their executive committees and school representatives ahead of the meeting.

Kuppet Secretary-General Akello Misori described the event as a stakeholder engagement rather than a labour negotiation. He linked the forum to earlier discussions held during the April national education reforms dialogue, noting that some matters require direct input from the President and the Cabinet Secretary.

Kepsha chairperson Fuad Ali has also confirmed participation and has instructed the national governing council to submit names of selected delegates. 

He emphasised the importance of coordination among unions and associations to present a unified position on key issues. Topics expected to be raised include education funding, the rollout of Competency-Based Education (CBE), and the transition from the National Education Management Information System (Nemis) to the Kenya Education Management Information System (Kemis).

Leadership of junior secondary schools is also likely to be discussed. A Kuppet branch official, who spoke anonymously, noted the union's ongoing push for teachers from senior secondary schools to be appointed as heads of junior schools. Currently, primary school headteachers hold these roles, which has led to disputes over professional recognition and school leadership.