• Surgeon prides himself on having accumulated Sh250 million wealth and describes himself as a staunch Catholic
• When I set my eyes on something, I first look at what I want to achieve. From there I begin working on it
Image: JACK OWUOR
Education CS nominee George Magoha yesterday said he doesn't want the job if MPs intend to interfere in his work.
A surgeon, professor, manager and entrepreneur, Magoha said he has never failed at anything and he will not tolerate "monkey business" if he takes over the docket.
"In all my years as a surgeon [transpland and urology], I can proudly say no one died on the operating table. If I fail in this position, then it will be the first. I did not lobby for my nomination. It is purely on professionalism. If this is what you want, then I'm ready to deliver, but if there are any shady dealings, then you can keep your job," Magoha told MPs when he appeared before the Committee on Appointments.
The 67-year-old from Siaya county credits Starehe Boys Centre for his ability to surpass targets before deadlines. He said he prefers to work from backwards going forward. He expressed confidence he could bring excellence to the Education sector.
"When I set my eyes on something, I first look at what I want to achieve. From there I begin working on it," he said.
He prides himself on having accumulated Sh250 million wealth. He describes himself as a devout Catholic.
By the grace of God, everything I touch has turned to goldProf. George Magoha
He described himself as apolitical, dismissing claims he is mechanistic and too much of a technocrat in his style of leadership. He only has run-ins with unreasonable people, he
Should Parliament approve his name, the professor will step aside from his position as chairman of the Examination Council and the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board.
His nomination has been welcomed by many quarters in the education sector. KICD director Julius Jwan yesterday said, "We have worked with Magoha in various education projects and he has proved to be reliable and effective. As a CS, he will do more."
Secondary and primary school heads, through their associations, also welcomed his nomination.
BUCKET LIST
The determined professor hit out at any officials in the ministry who might be engaged in corrupt dealings. They have to change their ways before he catches up with them.
He warning those preying on young girls for sex that their days are numbered. He also waded into the debate on pornographic websites, suggesting they be closed.
"Should this House approve my nomination, then pray to God that I won't get you asking a schoolgirl to open [their] legs for you," Magoha told MPs yesterday.
He called for more engagement and openness in sex education.
The CS nominee expressed his desire to shape up the foundation of the new curriculum. He called for adequate funding to ensure successful implementation.
"In fact, we're way behind in curriculum reforms. Rwanda has done it. South Sudan has done it. I mean this is something Kenya should be leading and our sister countries following ... I'm going to sleep the curriculum, wake up the curriculum," he said.
He supported the planned increase of university fees but not to the extent demanded by vice-chancellors. He called their proposed three-fold increase to Sh48,000 "outrageous". Magoha said it's necessary to engage students to ensure universities meet them halfway without turmoil.
"If you bought a property 30 years ago and you want to sell it today, the price varies greatly ... I support the increase to let's say 20,000 or 25,000. That is reasonable," Magoha said.
The VCs maintained student fees must be increased to match prevailing economic times.
All government-sponsored students are funded at a flat rate of Sh120, 000 per year based on a formula developed in 1989 and effected in 1990.
Under the old formula, the government committed to pay Sh70,000, with students’ fees pegged at Sh16,000 per year. The government also funds other needs such as books at Sh9,000, food at Sh18,000 and accommodation at Sh7,000.
Magoha promised to ensure all candidates whose registration was cancelled for use of fake birth certificates sit the national exams.
Last month, the Kenya National Examinations Council rejected registration of 370,000 candidates.
The council later declared that the affected candidates would be given a second chance to correct their registration details before they become eligible to sit this year's exams.