Gachagua insists on merit in placement of students in national schools 

DCP Party Leader and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua reiterated that all students who perform well academically must be placed in national schools based on merit.

He emphasized that Kenyans must confront the ongoing issues with the quota system, especially since the introduction of devolution.

He has pointed out that the main purpose of devolution was to highlight and address the plight of marginalized counties, ensuring equitable development and opportunities.

Gachagua criticized the practice where parents invest in community schools, only to see their children admitted to distant schools.

He argued that it does not make sense for parents to pour resources into improving local schools—such as building laboratories or dormitories—yet their children are placed far away, while students with lower marks are admitted to national schools.

Speaking during a press conference in Nyeri County, Gachagua also addressed concerns over the placement system.

He described it as unfortunate that exemplary students are unable to access nearby national schools and are instead sent to distant institutions.

Meanwhile, students with as low as 50 marks are admitted into national schools, which he sees as unfair.

The DCP leader has further criticized leaders from North Eastern Kenya for their continued lecturing of other leaders, instead of utilizing the development funds allocated through devolution to improve their own schools and infrastructure.

He has noted that despite receiving billions of shillings from the national government, tangible progress in development has yet to be observed in those regions.

Gachagua also reflected on the old quota system, where school principals would sit down with students and their parents to select suitable schools based on the students’ locations and needs.

He said he believed that this system provided a better understanding of school placement logistics and should be reconsidered to promote fairness.