Monday , June 1, 2026 (Baidoa Online) -President William Ruto has announced that Qur’anic learning institutions in Kenya will be formally recognised as part of the country’s broader education system, with the government pledging to support and pay salaries for their teachers.
Speaking during Independence Day celebrations in Wajir County in Kenya’s north-eastern region, the President said the decision is aimed at integrating religious education institutions into national policy frameworks and strengthening access to basic education.
The move effectively brings madrasa and Qur’anic schools into state recognition, a step that could reshape the relationship between informal religious learning systems and formal public education in the country.
Ruto also emphasized his administration’s commitment to inclusivity, highlighting engagement with Muslim communities, particularly ethnic Somalis who form a significant population in the region and have historically played an important role in the area’s politics and security dynamics.
The decision was announced during a rare presidential event held in the predominantly Somali-inhabited north-east, underscoring the government’s attempt to deepen political and social ties with communities in the border regions.
Education analysts say the policy, if implemented, could improve teacher welfare and standardise aspects of Qur’anic education, but may also raise questions over regulation, curriculum alignment, and long-term funding obligations for the state.
