The government will recruit 24,000 new teachers by January 2026 in a major move to ease teacher shortages in public schools, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has said.

Speaking during World Teachers’ Day celebrations at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, CS Ogamba said the hiring drive is part of the government’s plan to strengthen the quality of education nationwide.

“The government has employed a historic 76,000 teachers in two years. A further 24,000 teachers are to be employed by January 2026, making a total of 100,000 teachers in a record three years,” said Ogamba.

He noted that many public schools continue to grapple with high student-to-teacher ratios, particularly in remote and marginalised areas.

“We are committed to bridging the teacher shortage gap to ensure that every Kenyan child receives quality education,” he added.

According to the Ministry of Education, the upcoming recruitment will prioritise counties most affected by teacher shortages and focus on subject-specific needs, especially in secondary schools.

This year’s World Teachers’ Day was marked under the theme “The teachers we need for the education we want: The global imperative to reverse the teacher shortage.”

Government’s Commitment

The move aligns with earlier remarks by President William Ruto, who reaffirmed the government’s resolve to tackle the long-standing shortage of teachers in Kenya.

Speaking during Labour Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens on 1 May 2025, President Ruto said his administration had already reduced the shortage—which stood at 116,000 in 2022—by employing over 76,000 teachers in two years.

“We have set aside Sh2.4 billion to hire an additional 20,000 intern teachers starting January 2026,” he said.

The President also announced that the government has allocated Sh1.6 billion for teacher capacity building and Sh1 billion for promotions.

“These investments have improved student-teacher ratios, enhanced literacy and numeracy outcomes, and created stable employment in communities across the country,” he added.

Teacher Shortage Background

According to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), Kenya faced a deficit of more than 100,000 teachers as of 2022, putting significant pressure on those already in service.

The Ruto administration has prioritised closing this gap through recruitment, improved welfare, and better working conditions for teachers. The latest announcement signals steady progress towards this goal and renewed confidence in the education sector.