Inside Ruto's Strict Orders From His Apex Office as Senior Schools Experience Low Grade 10 Turn-out

The transition to Senior School was always going to be a litmus test for Kenya’s education reforms, but the current standoff between policy and reality has reached a fever pitch.

Despite the President’s directive from the house on the hill, many desks across the country remain empty.

In response, the government has shifted gears from mere encouragement to a full-scale, door-to-door enforcement operation.

President Ruto’s today orders are clear that all Grade 10 learners must report to school immediately, regardless of whether they have cleared their fees or even secured a full uniform.

To back this up, the government has announced the release of Ksh 44 billion in capitation funds, intended to remove the financial hurdles blocking the school gates.

However, the mop-up exercise is where the rubber meets the road. Local chiefs and village elders have been tasked with a house-to-house search to track down missing students.

While the Ministry of Education reports a 90% turnout rate, the remaining 10% represents thousands of teenagers who are still stuck at home, caught in the gap between state directives and family struggles.

While the official numbers look promising, the human stories tell a more complicated tale.

For parents, the barrier isn't just tuition, it’s the basic cost of living.

Even when fees are waived, the logistical costs of boarding and transport remain a wall many cannot climb.

The logic from the Apex Office is simple that the money is out, so the children should be in.

But as Senior Schools navigate this low turnout, the tension remains. Is it enough to just open the doors, or does the government need to look deeper into the poverty that keeps those doors effectively locked?