President William Ruto has strongly criticized former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for his remarks concerning secondary school placements, asserting that children should not be used for political or ethnic mobilization. Ruto insisted that schools must remain free from partisan interference, advocating for a merit-based learning environment for all students.

• President Ruto's remarks came during the launch of the NYOTA programme in Uasin Gishu County.
• Gachagua had questioned why students from outside Mt Kenya were admitted to national schools like Alliance and Mang’u over local high-performing candidates.
• The Ministry of Education has opened a second review window from January 6 to January 9 for placements, promising audits to combat corruption amidst claims of schools demanding between Sh100,000 and Sh150,000 for changes.

Teachers and Molo MP Kuria Kimani have raised strong concerns over increasing parental negligence in Molo Subcounty schools, fearing negative impacts on children's development and morals. This trend includes parents renting houses for their school-going children with minimal supervision.

• Madam Wairimu Lengewa, a school head, highlighted that parents are abandoning responsibilities beyond just paying fees.
• Molo MP Kuria Kimani cautioned against renting houses for minors due to risks like peer pressure and poor academic performance.
• The MP shared plans to improve school infrastructure, including drilling boreholes and establishing modern laboratories in junior secondary schools.

Molo MP Kuria Kimani has strongly criticized former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for what he termed "retrogressive and primitive" tribal remarks regarding Grade 10 school placements, warning they could incite tribalism in educational institutions.

• Gachagua had urged school heads in the Central Province to prioritize local learners for Grade 10 placements, sparking widespread condemnation.
• The Ministry of Education has opened a review window for dissatisfied students to transfer, affecting 1.13 million inaugural Grade 10 learners reporting on January 12, 2026.
• Kuria Kimani called on leaders from the Central Province to support equitable national development and refrain from selfishly opposing projects like the Rironi–Mausummit Highway dualling.