Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i has delivered a powerful message to President William Ruto’s administration, urging the government to rethink its priorities if Kenya truly wants to achieve first-world status. Speaking with his signature firmness and clarity, Matiang’i emphasized that no country can develop without heavily investing in the education of its people.
According to Matiang’i, Kenya cannot continue talking about becoming the next Singapore, South Korea, or any other advanced economy while neglecting the foundation that all successful nations rely on—an educated and empowered population.
“We talk about becoming a Singapore or a first-world nation, yet we are not educating our population,” Matiang’i stated.
He argued that for Kenya to move forward, it must place education at the center of national development. This includes improving school infrastructure, ensuring fair access to education, supporting teachers, and investing in modern learning tools and technologies.
Matiang’i stressed that countries that transformed into global economic giants did so by putting massive resources into training their people, building skills, and nurturing innovation. Kenya, he said, must follow the same path if it wants sustainable progress.
“If we are serious about developing our country, we must invest in the education of our people,” he added.
His remarks come at a time when many Kenyans are questioning the state of the country’s education sector, from the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) transition challenges to rising school fees and underfunded institutions.
Matiang’i’s blunt message has sparked debate, with supporters praising him for speaking truth to power, while critics argue that his own tenure had its share of controversies. Nonetheless, his statement has reignited an important national conversation about what Kenya must prioritize to secure a prosperous future.
