Kindiki Hails Teachers, Champions Reforms, and Leads Lively Fundraising Drive at Meru KUPPET Thanksgiving
Politics Updated: 23 May 2026 23:18 EAT
Deputy President Professor Kithure Kindiki speaking during the Kuppet Executive Secretary Njira Muthomi Thanksgiving Service at the Kenya Methodist University, Meru County
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki on Saturday delivered a high-energy and wide-ranging address at Kenya Methodist University in Meru County during the thanksgiving ceremony for newly elected KUPPET Meru Executive Secretary Morris Mudomi Njera, blending policy statements, education reforms, and humour as he rallied teachers to support national development.
“Asante sana. Thank you very much. All protocols observed. Kwanza kabisa let me take this opportunity to congratulate the newly elected Executive Secretary for KUPPET in Meru County, Mr. Morris Mudomi Njera.”
The Deputy President warmly acknowledged Njera’s election and leadership role in the teachers’ union, praising his ability to mobilise educators across Meru County and beyond.
“Nashukuru sana Morris kwa sababu ya kuandaa kikao hiki na mimi nimeona uko na network kubwa ya walimu hapa Meru County.”
Kindiki injected humour into his remarks as he engaged teachers in a lively back-and-forth chant praising Njera’s popularity.
“Huyu Morris Njera ni faya si faya? Ni noma si noma? Noma. Anatosha hatoshi? Anatosha. Aendelee asiendelee? Aendelee.”
He further joked about giving Njera a symbolic government role, drawing laughter from the audience.
“Wewe Njera wewe ni fire na mimi nitakupatia kazi ingine sasa as the Chief Fire Officer.”
The Deputy President explained that he had once served as a university professor before entering politics, insisting that academics are also teachers in their own right.
“Unajua mimi zamani kabla sijaingia siasa nilikuwa profesa kule university. Nilikuwa nafundisha wanasheria… Profesa ni mwalimu.”
He clarified that although professors may lack formal pedagogical training, they still fall within the broader teaching profession.
“Profesa ni mwalimu lakini ni untrained teacher. That is the only difference lakini ni mwalimu.”
Kindiki expressed pride in identifying with educators, stating that teaching remains one of the most selfless professions in society.
“So I'm very happy to be among teachers and I'm very proud of the teaching profession.”
He emphasised that teachers dedicate most of their lives to other people’s children, describing it as an unmatched form of sacrifice.
“Teachers are the only people I know in the whole world who spend most of their time thinking about the children of other people.”
The Deputy President saluted teachers for their role in shaping society and values among young learners.
“For that sacrificial professional responsibility, teachers, we salute you. You are the biggest example and the best example of sacrifice.”
He highlighted teachers’ responsibility in nurturing moral and social values in addition to academic instruction.
“You are also responsible for inculcating positive social values in your child—in the children who are brought to you as teachers.”
Kindiki acknowledged that teachers’ contribution to society cannot be fully compensated financially.
“We cannot pay you enough for what you do. It can never be enough.”
He called on teachers to continue acting as opinion leaders and civic educators within their communities.
“Teachers are well-respected members of the society. They are opinion shapers.”
The Deputy President urged educators to guide society on national priorities and responsible citizenship.
“Please continue providing leadership to explain to other members of the society… what we need to do for a better country.”
He warned against destructive behaviour during political expression and demonstrations.
“We must not break people’s shops. We must not burn private property of people who have no relationship with the issue that you're raising.”
Kindiki stressed that peaceful expression of grievances remains protected under Kenya’s democratic system.
“Express yourself, disagree, demonstrate when you must, but please don’t loot a supermarket.”
He underscored the importance of teachers in promoting civic responsibility and national cohesion.
“Teachers can help us do civic education on the do's and don'ts.”
Turning to education reforms, he said the government created a Presidential Working Party on Education shortly after taking office.
“Within 100 days was to establish a Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms.”
Kindiki highlighted a steady increase in education funding since 2022.
“It was 500 billion shillings. This year the budget was 702 billion. Next year it is going to be 765 billion shillings.”
He said teacher recruitment has significantly increased to address staffing shortages.
“We are going to add another 20,000 teachers to bring to a total of 120,000 teachers in four years.”
The Deputy President contrasted current recruitment with previous administrations.
“Before President Ruto assumed office, every year we were employing only 4,000 teachers.”
He emphasised government efforts to ensure every learner has access to a teacher.
“We want to make sure that a child finds a teacher in school.”
Kindiki also cited infrastructure development in education.
“We have built 23,000 classrooms. We have built 1,000 laboratories.”
He noted reforms in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.
“In 2022 we had 297,000 students… today it is 718,000.”
He explained that the increase reflects a shift toward strengthening middle-level colleges.
“We should have more students in tertiary institutions and less numbers in the university.”
The Deputy President confirmed continued adjustments to the Competency-Based Education framework.
“The process is not over.”
He also said the government reversed the controversial delocalisation policy.
“Teachers should be able to serve in an environment that is as close to their homes as possible.”
On teacher promotions, Kindiki announced increased funding for long-overdue career advancement.
“The government now will be promoting 50,000 teachers.”
He noted that many teachers had remained in the same job groups for over a decade.
“Some of these teachers, the last time they were promoted was 15, 10, 12 years ago.”
The Deputy President said reforms are underway to improve career progression guidelines.
“We are going to review the career progression guidelines.”
He also acknowledged challenges in teachers’ medical coverage under SHA.
“We need to improve on the packages that you’re getting under the Universal Health Coverage program.”
Kindiki promised to accelerate resolution of outstanding issues affecting teachers’ welfare.
“A teacher’s health is very paramount.”
He further addressed Junior Secondary School autonomy concerns.
“We have heard that you require reforms to make sure that we have some kind of autonomy.”
He assured stakeholders that consultations were ongoing.
“We will see what we can do even before the matter goes to Parliament.”
On pending examination payments, Kindiki confirmed government commitment to settle arrears.
“There’s an outstanding amount of teachers who administered exams last year.”
He said the amount totals billions of shillings and would be prioritised.
“I am going to do the necessary things so that government can pay that money as soon as possible.”
The Deputy President praised teachers for engaging government through dialogue rather than confrontation.
“We are not adversaries, we are stakeholders, we are partners.”
The event later turned into a spirited fundraising session for a KUPPET bus project, with Kindiki engaging attendees in a lively exchange about “Scania” contributions.
“Ni Scania si Scania? Scania.”
He jokingly noted that he had been pre-informed about the fundraising request.
“Nikajua nimeingia kwa mtego.”
Kindiki revealed that President William Ruto had contributed financially to the initiative.
“Ametuma na 2 million shillings. Rais Ruto ni fire si fire?”
He added his own contribution to the fundraising effort.
“Na mimi fireman nimeongeza 2 million kwa hiyo 2 million ya Rais.”
The Deputy President encouraged collective participation from leaders present at the event.
“Kwa nini? Kwa sababu ni fire eh.”
He concluded by reaffirming his commitment to working closely with teachers and stakeholders in advancing education reforms.
“We are all stakeholders, we are partners: the government, the teachers, the society.”
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FELIX MAKONA
FACT FINDER AND DATA DRIVEN JOURNALIST. DATA MINING AT IT'S BEST. GET FACTS RANGING FROM MATTERS DISABILITY AND INCLUSION, POLITICS, ECONOMY, SPORTS AND GENERAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD