Teachers from Mt. Kenya region have expressed their confidence in the appointment of Prof George Magoha’s as Education Cabinet Secretary, saying the no nonsense professor has a history of transforming institutions.
The President’s executive order on Friday morning put Mr Magoha in charge of the ministry previously headed by Amina Mohamed. She took over in the Sports ministry from Mr Rashid Echesa, who was fired.
Members of the Mt Kenya Teachers’ Forum later urged Parliament to approve Prof Magoha’s nomination, saying teachers believe he will be zealous.
Forum spokesperson, Mr Ndung’u Wangenye, said the Education Ministry needs a firm and authoritative Cabinet secretary, such as Mr Magoha.
“Since the President’s re-election, we have all along been expecting Prof Magoha to be elevated from Knec chairmanship to the Cabinet. When he worked with CS Fred Matiang’i in fighting exam cheating, the education sector found integrity,” said Mr Ndung’u Wangenye, who is also the Executive Secretary of the Laikipia County branch of the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet).
The group said it expects Mr Magoha, a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Nairobi, to wipe out cartels.
Mr Wangenye alleged the existence of one at Jogoo House, which he said was micro-managing the funding of school development projects.
“We urge Prof Magoha, once approved, to start by fighting the corruption cartels in the procurement of textbooks for public schools by the Ministry of Education,” he said.