Ruto’s Outreach to Teachers Fuels Speculation Ahead of 2027

President William Ruto has met with over 10,000 teachers and union leaders at State House, Nairobi, in a move that places educators at the centre of national policy discussions for the first time.

The meeting brought together representatives from the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut), the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet), the Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (Kusnet), and leadership from headteachers’ associations. They presented a 10-point reform agenda covering teacher welfare, employment structures, and collective bargaining frameworks. 

Union officials confirmed that several proposals are already under review following the discussions. The government’s engagement continued with the national celebration of World Teachers’ Day at Kasarani Stadium, where President Ruto was expected to attend alongside Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Cabinet Secretaries, and senior education officials. 

Organised by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), the event included awards recognising outstanding teachers and marked the first time a sitting president formally participated in the occasion. Knut Secretary-General Collins Oyuu welcomed the President’s involvement, calling it an important affirmation of the teaching profession.  He dismissed suggestions that the meetings were politically motivated, saying they were focused on education and not related to upcoming union or national elections.

“We support his commitment to education,” said Mr Oyuu. “If he continues to meet us annually to hear our concerns, that is a positive development.”

Dr Malel Langat, Knut’s first National Vice-Chairman, said the meeting marked a significant shift from previous administrations, where teachers’ unions were often sidelined. He cited past efforts by former President Daniel Moi to divide unions and weaken their influence. Dr Langat said the current administration’s willingness to engage reflects a broader shift towards open dialogue with workers.

He noted several outcomes from the State House meeting, including the planned reduction of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) cycle and renewed efforts to recruit teachers aged over 45. The TSC has started collecting data on unemployed teachers, which could inform future recruitment efforts. 

“We expect more collaboration with all stakeholders for prosperity,” Dr Langat said.

This year’s World Teachers’ Day theme, “Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession,” aligns closely with recent developments. Mr Omari Omari, spokesperson for the Kenya Junior School Teachers Association (Kejusta), praised the President’s engagement, particularly on issues linked to the Competency-Based Curriculum.  He expressed hope that further dialogue would address concerns around Junior School autonomy.