President Ruto, Mudavadi Join MP Omboko Milemba and Thousands for PAG @100 Celebrations in Vihiga

 

 Thousands of faithful gathered at Nyang’ori High School in Vihiga County today to celebrate 100 years of the Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAG) Church in Kenya. The high-profile event was graced by President William Samoei Ruto, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia W. Mudavadi, and a host of national and local leaders.

Among the dignitaries was Emuhaya MP and KUPPET National Chairperson Hon. Omboko Milemba, who used the occasion to commend the government for strides made in the education sector and to push for more reforms to benefit ordinary Kenyans.

Milemba Thanks Ruto for Teacher Recruitment

In his address, Milemba thanked President Ruto for the employment of 76,000 new teachers and welcomed the government's plan to hire an additional 24,000 educators, calling it a “major boost” for Kenya’s overstretched education system.

“This is a critical intervention that will help bridge the student-teacher ratio, especially in rural and marginalized areas,” said the MP.

Push for ECDE Teachers’ Fair Pay

Milemba, a long-time advocate for teachers’ welfare, called on the President to direct county governments to remunerate Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) teachers in line with Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) guidelines.

“We need fairness across all 47 counties. ECDE teachers are the backbone of the learning journey, and they deserve decent pay and job security,” he emphasized.

Voter Registration: ID Replacement Fee Scrapped

In a bold move to empower youth participation in democratic processes, Milemba urged the President to reduce national ID replacement fees, which he argued hinder voter registration among young people.

Responding immediately, President Ruto announced the scrapping of the Ksh 1,000 national ID replacement fee until after the 2027 General Elections. The decision was met with cheers from the crowd and hailed as a timely intervention to boost electoral inclusion.

“This is a welcome relief, especially for our youth who are eager to register and vote but are held back by financial constraints,” said Milemba.

A Century of Faith and Service

The celebrations marked a significant milestone for the PAG Church, which has played a key role in Kenya’s spiritual, social, and educational development since its establishment in 1925.

Hon. Milemba congratulated the Church for its century-long legacy of service and transformation.

“The PAG Church has not only nurtured spiritual growth but also invested heavily in schools, health services, and community empowerment. May your next 100 years shine even brighter,” he said.

Message to the President

The MP concluded with a message of appreciation to the Head of State:

“Asante Mheshimiwa Rais kwa kuja Vihiga na kusikia kilio cha Wanavihiga. Karibu tena.