Ruto Announces 50 Teaching Jobs for Akorino members

President with Akorino members at thanksgiving service at statehouse

President William Ruto has pledged to address long-standing discrimination against members of the Akorino church, citing the need for inclusivity regardless of religious beliefs and cultural practices.

The President made the remarks on Sunday, April 12, 2026, when he hosted Akorino faithful at State House, Nairobi, for a thanksgiving service.

During his address, Ruto acknowledged that the church—whose roots trace back to the colonial period as a movement resisting colonial rule—has faced marginalisation even after independence.

He noted that members of the sect have often been sidelined in socio-economic opportunities due to their distinctive way of life, including their mode of dressing.

“I have recognised members of the Akorino church as faithful people who trust in God. Since you have asked to be included in leadership in various capacities, I am going to do that.

No one should be discriminated against because they wear a turban—it is a cloth like any other,” Ruto said.

He added that religion is a matter of personal conviction, while competence is determined by skills and knowledge, stressing that the two should not be conflated.

Ruto further revealed that he had interacted with professionals from the Akorino community who had demonstrated their ability to deliver effectively when given opportunities.

As part of efforts to enhance inclusion, the President announced the allocation of 50 additional teaching positions to members of the community, citing their strong performance in the education sector.

“Because you have done a good job, I will add you 50 more positions. Bring your children so that we can employ them as teachers,” he said.

He directed Deputy Head of Public Service Amos Gatheca to oversee the fair distribution of the positions across different regions where Akorino members are based.

According to the President, the recruitment process will be expedited to allow successful candidates to begin work in the second term of the current academic year.

The development comes weeks after the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) extended a nationwide exercise requiring registered but unemployed teachers to update their records.

In a notice issued on March 31, the commission said the exercise—initially set to close on March 16 after starting on March 4—had been extended to April 7.

TSC explained that the data update aims to improve workforce planning by establishing the supply and demand of qualified teachers, which will inform future recruitment and policy decisions.

Teachers were required to submit details such as their qualifications, subject specialisations and training levels through the commission’s online portal.

The agency assured that all submitted information would be handled securely in line with the Data Protection Act and its privacy guidelines.