Education CS nominee Professor George Magoha has been sworn in as Education Cabinet Secretary at State House, Nairobi.
The former Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) Chairman, was sworn-in by Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua, in the presence of President Uhuru Kenyatta and a host of other top State officials.
Also sworn-in was Commissioner General of the Kenya Prisons Service Mr Wycliffe Ogalo whose management acumen, the head of state noted will be key in the ongoing reforms to ensure prisons fully serve their rehabilitation role.
The swearing-in comes days after National Assembly Committee on Appointment approved his appointment by President Uhuru Kenyatta in his Executive Order Number 3.
When he appeared before the 28-member committee led by Speaker Justin Muturi, Magoha said he was best placed to steer the operations of the Education ministry owing to his vast experience of being a performer who gets things done.
He affirmed that his administration won’t entertain corruption.
“I am not afraid of anyone, my courage must come from God because if I find you earning money that is not yours, I will take it that, that is your choice. If you are required to earn a wage you should work for it,” said Magoha.
“Anyone who chooses to plunder government funds I will not be very kind to them because it’s a choice,” he told the Committee on Appointments.
On the challenges facing teachers, Prof Magoha said he will consult widely to maintain good ties with other education stakeholders.
“If you don’t know the problem you have then you cannot deal with it and you must ensure that you consult and consult. You consult even the unions, silently, so that when you come out in public you are not shouting at each other,” he said.
He maintained that he supports the competency based curriculum the ministry is engaged in.
“I support it because I have been on the other side looking for employees. Kenyans have certificates in folders and when you look at the person behind the certificate, they are not there, even PhD holders,” he said.
Magoha succeeds Amina Mohammed who was moved to the Sports docket after President Uhuru Kenyatta fired CS Rashid Echesa.