Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has clarified his recent remarks on the placement of Grade 10 learners to schools in the Mt Kenya region, insisting his comments were misinterpreted and not intended to promote tribal politics.
Speaking at a rally in Nyeri County on Thursday, January 8, Gachagua said education opportunities should be distributed fairly across the country, while maintaining that learners from host regions should also be considered during placement.
He argued that the process must be transparent and free from bias, dismissing claims that he was politicising the exercise. Gachagua also accused President William Ruto of creating confusion within the education sector and criticised Mt Kenya leaders for remaining silent on the issue.
His comments came shortly after President Ruto publicly cautioned him against introducing tribal considerations into school placements, warning that such remarks risk undermining national unity and fairness in education. The exchange follows Gachagua’s criticism of the Grade 10 placement criteria under the Competency Based Curriculum.
