Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has spoken out on the recent Grade 10 placements in Kenya, saying students from the Mt Kenya region should get priority in top schools there. He made the comments amid growing complaints about how the Ministry of Education handled the process for over a million learners moving to senior secondary school.
In a statement that has spread online, Gachagua said in Swahili, “Sasa hapa kwetu shule zetu za watu wa mlima, Alliance na Mang’u, watoto wetu hapa wamepelekwa shule iko chini na marks yao iko juu. Watu wengine wameletwa kwa shule zetu hapa; hiyo haifai.”
That translates to pointing out that local kids with high marks are being sent to lower-tier schools, while outsiders fill spots in elite ones like Alliance and Mang’u in the Central Region. He argues for putting community students first in these placements.
This comes right as schools reopen for the 2026 year. The Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) has kids finishing Grade 9 and heading to Grade 10 next week, on January 12. The ministry placed about 1.1 million students, but many parents aren’t happy.
Some say their children got slots far from home, like a kid from Eldoret ending up in a day school in Mandera. That’s a long way, and it raises questions about safety and family life.
Parents have been rushing to schools to appeal. The ministry rejected over 68,000 requests already, but they’re reopening the portal from January 6 to 9 for more reviews. One parent told reporters they want their twins in the same school, but the system split them up.
In places like Nairobi and other counties, lines form outside principals’ offices. Some claim slots in good schools are going to the highest bidders, though the ministry denies it.
Gachagua’s words touch on a sore spot in Kenyan education. He’s from the Mt Kenya area, and he’s often talked about protecting interests there. After his impeachment in 2024, he’s stayed vocal on regional issues.
Critics see this as stirring tribal feelings, especially since placements should be based on merit and choices, not where you’re from. But supporters say it’s about fairness, as top national schools like those he named are in Central, and local families built them up over years.
Look at the bigger picture. Under CBC, Grade 10 is the start of senior school, where kids pick pathways like arts or STEM. The government aims for 100% transition, but infrastructure lags.
Teachers’ unions like KUPPET point out shortages of classrooms and staff. In some schools, classes are overcrowded, and capitation funds arrived late, causing more headaches as the term starts.
Online, reactions split. Some back Gachagua, saying the system ignores regional balance. One post called it “chaos” and blamed the government for poor planning. Others slam him as a “tribal conman” trying to sabotage progress for politics. A lawmaker from another area, MP Koimburi, wants the ministry to review placements because kids are sent too far.
This isn’t new. Past placements for Form One had similar gripes, with parents appealing over distances or school types. But with CBC rolling out, stakes feel higher.
The ministry says they used a fair formula: marks from junior secondary assessments, student choices, and school capacities. Still, cases like 632 kids losing spots at Starehe Boys and Girls show glitches.
The education CS has answered some questions, saying they’re fixing errors. But for families, it’s stressful. One example: a child with 70 out of 72 points got a sub-county day school, far below expectations. Parents have until the end of this week to sort it, but many worry it’s too late.
Gachagua’s push highlights deeper divides. Kenya’s education aims to unite, but regional pulls persist. In Central, schools like Alliance High and Mang’u High have long histories, producing leaders. If locals feel shut out, it breeds resentment. Yet, national schools are meant for the whole country, to mix students.
As the term nears, the ministry urges calm. They’ve released funds and say most placements work. But with appeals piling up and voices like Gachagua’s amplifying complaints, it might drag on. Parents in Mt Kenya and beyond just want what’s best for their kids, without the drama.
In the end, this story shows how education ties into politics here. Fixes need to come fast, or more kids will suffer. We’ll keep watching as more details emerge this week.