“Some schools educate students, and some institutions shape the destiny of nations. Maseno School belongs to the latter category,” President William Ruto
MASENO, 9th May 2026 -President William Ruto has stated that the government has continuously prioritised the education sector by allocating nearly 30% of the national budget, making it one of the highest commitments on the continent.
Speaking at the foothills of Mabungo Hills during the celebration marking Maseno School’s 120th anniversary of academic excellence and national service, Dr Ruto emphasised that the education budget, however, has experienced exponential growth since he assumed office, rising from Sh500 billion in 2022 to Sh702 billion in the current financial year, and is projected to reach Sh767 billion in the 2026/27 financial year.
“These are not merely figures in a budget, they represent classrooms built, teachers employed, laboratories equipped, opportunities expanded, and dreams realised for millions of young Kenyans,” he stated.
In the past three years, Dr Ruto added, they have made significant strides in reducing the teacher-student ratio by employing over 100,000 teachers, one of the most ambitious teacher recruitment programmes in the nation’s history.
To this end, the government is undertaking a major expansion of educational infrastructure across the country. “So far, we have built more than 23,000 classrooms and are currently constructing 1,600 science laboratories, particularly in areas where access to modern science infrastructure has traditionally been limited.”
The President also remarked that they have reinforced a shift towards the Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) system to nurture unique talents in STEM, arts, and technical skills.
As the government, he explained, they do not regard investment in education as an expense; we treat it as the most strategic investment we can make in the future of our nation.
Founded in 1906 by the Church Missionary Society, Maseno School predates the Republic of Kenya itself. The President paid homage to its humble beginnings, where six sons of African chiefs first gathered under the ‘Oseno’ (Hickory) tree, and its evolution into a global powerhouse.
“Some schools educate students, and some institutions shape the destiny of nations. Maseno School belongs to the latter category,” President William Ruto.
The President toured the school’s historic landmarks, including the 1906 chapel and the residence of the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, who taught at the school in the 1940s. He emphasised that by preserving these sites, Maseno is not just a school, but a “national memory” and a custodian of Kenyan identity.
The school’s legacy is embedded in East African history through its renowned alumni. Dr Ruto also praised the “culture of excellence” that produced Jaramogi Oginga Odinga (Kenya’s first Vice-President), Barack Obama Senior (noted economist), Prof. Thomas Odhiambo (scientist and founder of ICIPE), Achieng’ Oneko (freedom fighter).
While celebrating the past, Dr Ruto looked firmly towards the future. Acknowledging that the school’s physical infrastructure now needs upgrading to match its academic prestige, he pledged a collaborative effort between the government and alumni to modernise the campus.
He challenged the Maseno community to go beyond preserving a “glorious past” and instead focus on becoming the engine of African innovation by producing courageous thinkers and ethical leaders who will navigate and define the world of tomorrow.
