Ruto climbs down, to cut travel by Sh500m to help disabled learners

President William Ruto Commissions the National Psycho-Educational Assessment and Research Centre in Nairobi. [PCS]

President William Ruto Thursday promised to cut his travel budget by Sh500 million to support learners who are abled differently.

Speaking during the flagging-off of motor vehicles for education officers in Kasarani, Nairobi, yesterday, Ruto said the funds will be used to build a manufacturing plant for assistive devices for learners with disabilities.

“I will knock off a few things in my budget again including my travel allowances so that I can find Sh500 million. The money will be used to start a factory that will manufacture local devices that will assist learners with special needs,” he said.

“Nitakata pesa ya travel ndio tufanye hiyo construction. (I will cut money for travels so that we will do the construction),” he added.

From the cuts in his travels, contributions by the Ministry of Education, and the National and County Governments, Ruto believes it will be possible to build a factory and produce assistive devices for learners with disabilities.

The manufacturing plant will be located in Mavoko, Machakos County. Speaking during the flagging off of 203 new vehicles allocated to the 47 counties for use by education officials, Ruto said his government had recruited 56,000 teachers this year, the largest number ever to ensure every Kenyan child gets quality education.

The President asked teachers to ensure children learn to the expected standard and in the best possible environment.

“It is our commitment that every child has the chance to fulfil their potential and rise to the highest level of accomplishment that their intellect, talent and determination will allow. This is our duty as a government,” he said.

The Head of State noted that teachers on their own are not enough to guarantee quality learning, they need support from the school and the ministry.

Ruto said a few months ago, he received a report from the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms with a raft of recommendations to improve access, equity and quality in the delivery of education.

“We are already implementing some of the recommendations, and our lawmakers are deliberating on the proposals that require policy and legislative changes to unlock their full effect,” he said.

He explained that education officials had a critical role to play in shaping the quality of education by ensuring high standards are maintained and their supervision and inspection function keeps the system running.

“The government relies on the officials to deal with education emergencies. They are the first responders to any distress, threat or crisis faced by learners, schools and teachers. They provide physical, psychosocial and other forms of support that minimise danger to children and schools,” he said.

Ruto said the vehicles will enhance mobility, effectiveness and efficiency of education officers and help to improve supervision and inspection services to all schools across the 47 counties.

“We expect the officials to enforce school attendance by learners and teachers, and map out the necessary support required in all institutions. We also expect them to strengthen internal quality assurance and standards the government is developing with head teachers and principals,” he said.

His promise to cut travel costs comes at a time his trips had seen more world leaders reciprocate. The crowning moment of Ruto’s foreign trips will be at the end of the month when King Charles III and Queen Camilla jet in for a state visit on October 31 to November 3. Ruto has been to Britain twice since he took over power and the King’s visit will be the first trip to a Commonwealth country since he succeeded his mother on September 8, 2022.

King Charles

King Charles III has a packed diary and is poised to hold a bilateral meeting with President Ruto. The King and Queen will visit Nairobi and Mombasa counties and surrounding areas.

King Charles III has previously made three official visits to Kenya, in 1971, 1978 and 1987, and both the King and Queen have also visited the country privately.

State House Press Secretary Emmanuel Tallam said King Charles III visit was an indication of how Kenya was recognised as an important global player in investment, peace, security and a partner any country would want to have.

“It is a big privilege that the King Charles III identified Kenya as his first commonwealth country to visit since he became King. Kenya under President Ruto is seen by any Head of State of government as a strategic partner to interact with,” said Tallam.

He noted that the President’s visits across the world had earned Kenya billions in investments and more importantly made Kenya recognised as a worthy partner. “Kenya has also continued to receive Presidents and other Heads of government seeking interaction in the country given that it was well placed geopolitically and an important ally to have.”

Kenya, under President Ruto, has hosted 24 Heads of State and government and senior  dignitaries, a record  compared with his predecessors Uhuru Kenyatta and Mwai Kibaki.

According to details from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 14 Heads of State from Africa and 10 others from across the world had visited Kenya through the cordial interactions with the country.

The list includes Presidents Joao Lourenco (Angola), Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa), the Netherlands Her Majesty Queen Maxima, Tanzanian President Madam Samia Suluhu, Denis Sassou Nguesso (Congo Brazzaville), Paul Kagame (Rwanda), Macky Sall (Senegal), Azali Assoumani (Comoros), Brahim Ghali (Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic) and Egyptian Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly.

Others are Presidents Salva Kiir Maardit (South Sudan), Sahle-Work Zewde (Ethiopia), Prime Minister Mia Mottley (Barbados), Mohamed Yunus Al-Menfi (Libya President of Libyan Presidential Council), Colombia Vice President, Francia Elena, Mahamat Idriss Deby (Chad), Lazarus Chakwera (Malawi).

Kenya has also hosted Presidents Filipe Jacinto Nyusi(Mozambique), Ebrahim Raisi (Iran), Bola Tinubu (Nigeria), Norway The Crown Prince Haakon Magnus, “Sweden The Crown Princess Victoria Ingrid Alice Dèireè, United States of America First Lady, Jill Biden and Ghana Second Lady, Samira Bawumia.

President Ruto has visited 38 countries and has met with and had talks with about 60 heads of states and government and signed bilateral agreements with on behalf of Kenya.

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