Former Chief Justice David Maraga has shared a chilling encounter with the Tana River County education crisis, explaining the challenges faced by students in the region.

Taking to his official X account on Friday, February 6, 2026, Maraga revealed that a small number of students made it to the senior school transition, leaving behind a gap filled by a lack of reliable public transport.

On his part, the former Chief Justice revealed that only 3000 students were able to transition to Grade 10 in the entire Tana River County.

According to Maraga, the slow transition has been cited due to the lack of good roads, electricity, digital connectivity and reliable public transport.

“It is being estimated that only about 3,000 students have transitioned to Grade 10 in all of Tana River County after the recent KJSEA exams. This is because many areas still lack good roads, electricity, digital connectivity and reliable public transport,” Maraga said.

Ruto addresses KJSEA transition amid fears

His remarks came months after President William Ruto had reassured Kenyan parents and students that every child will have the opportunity to join senior school in January, following concerns after the release of the 2025 Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA) results.

Speaking on Sunday, December 28, 2025, during a church service at the Covenant Church International (CCI), Narok County, as it marked its 20th anniversary, Ruto emphasised that the government has released Ksh44 billion to ensure smooth placement and funding for all students.

The Head of State further warned that political interference will not be tolerated in the education sector.

“I want to tell those people who are introducing small politics and unnecessary propaganda into the education of our children, I am telling them to keep off. Watu ambao wako na siasa na fitina ndogo ndogo, madalali wa siasa bure, wanataka kuingiza watoto wetu kwa siasa ambayo haina maana, nataka niwaeleze watafute mahali pengine ya kupeleka siasa,” Ruto said.

Ruto went ahead to give an assurance that the released funds will reach the schools before the children report in January 2026.

School capitation

The first in command also clarified that school capitation has not been reduced as widely reported, blaming politicians for misleading the public with what he has termed as propaganda.

“Watoto wa Kenya wote, milioni moja, laki moja na elfu thelathini, watapata nafasi ya kwenda katika Senior School, January. Tumetoa pesa kama serikali, bilioni arubaini na nne, na pesa hiyo itakuwa shuleni kabla ya watoto kufika.

“Na hakuna pesa imepunguzwa ya kusomesha watoto wetu. Hawa watu wanaongea ongea hapa wapeleke siasa mbali. Watoto wa Kenya ni watoto wetu na tumefanya reform ya kutosha,” he said.