Muturi slams Ruto over fake Grade 10 transition figures
By Kenneth Mwenda, February 8, 2026Former National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi has criticised President William Ruto’s education policies, accusing the government of misleading parents and putting children’s futures at risk.
Muturi spoke on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at the Catholic Diocese of Nyahururu’s Njabini Parish in Kinangop Constituency, Nyandarua County. He challenged Ruto’s directive that Grade 10 learners should join senior schools without paying fees or providing uniforms.
“Ruto, stop cheating us. Unasema watoto waende shule bila school fees, hata bila uniform. Katika zile shule wanahitaji pahali ya kulala. Tumeona jana kwa runinga. Mtoto kama unasema aende, mzazi anasema hana pesa. Unamwambia enda. Kwani ataenda kulala kwa floor. Mtoto huyo atakula nini katika hiyo shule?” Muturi said.
He referred to recent television footage showing students turned away from boarding schools or struggling because schools lacked funds for beds and meals. Muturi argued that public schools face overcrowding and poor facilities.
Muturi, who served as Public Service Cabinet Secretary until his dismissal in 2025, has openly criticised Ruto since leaving office. He called the administration self-serving and expressed regret for his earlier support.
He targeted the Education Principal Secretary and what he described as false claims of full transition.
“Our education unions, na wazazi, we need to begin preparing. Very soon, when we call on you to march into all education offices, you must be ready. Because Kasongo is killing the future of this country. Anatudanganya na PS anawekwa pale anasema ati watoto wote 100 per cent wameenda katika grade 10. Urongo mtupu,” he declared.
Grade 10 transition challenges
The government has been pushing for a 100 per cent transition to Grade 10 under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok assured parents in mid-January 2026 that all 1.1 million learners had received placements and that schools had capacity to accommodate them.
Speaking at Alliance Boys High School, he encouraged flexibility, including weekend admissions.
“Overall, the transition process is going on very smoothly. Our officers are on the ground supporting learners and parents to ensure the process is seamless,” Bitok said.
The ministry also extended deadlines and used local administrators to follow up with parents and learners. Officials reported progress, with some areas reaching over 90 per cent by late January.
However, reports showed gaps. Some schools recorded low turnout, with reasons including poverty, distance, double placements, and parental hesitation. Boarding schools faced issues when students arrived without funds for meals or bedding, leading to shortages in dormitories and kitchens.
On February 6, 2026, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba gazetted a new fee structure for public senior schools, effective from January 5. For day senior schools, parents pay nothing; the government covers Ksh22,244 per student annually, including tuition, activities, medical care, and maintenance.
Boarding schools share costs: parents pay up to Ksh53,554 or Ksh40,535 depending on the school category, while the government adds Ksh22,244. Ogamba warned schools against extra charges.
“No public school shall charge tuition fees or any other extra fees or levies contrary to the fee structure stipulated hereinabove,” he said.
Youths sent to war
Muturi also accused Ruto of sending Kenyan youths abroad under false promises, only for them to be sent into conflict zones in Russia. His remarks echoed those of Gachagua, who on February 7, 2026, during a ruracio ceremony in Gatundu South, Kiambu County, claimed that the government lured young Kenyans to Russia with promises of work, but forced them into military service.
“Before I end, I want to say this. We are feeling so bad when Ruto cheats our children that he is going to give them jobs,” Gachagua said.
“He has been taking our kids and flying them to Russia. He had told them that they are going abroad to drive vehicles and jobs in factories. When they reach there, they are taken to the military without better training. They are killed there by bombs and bullets.”