• Top surgeon and administrator praised as highly qualified but viewed by some as arrogant.
• Critics say as Knec boss Magoha militarised national exams.
Image: JACK OWUOR
The National Assembly yesterday approved the nomination of George Magoha as Education CS even as some members raised concerns about his boisterous and combative approach to issues.
While most of the MPs praised him as a highly qualified and a no nonsense person who will solve the myriads of problems in the Education Ministry, some viewed him as an arrogant man.
Suba South MP and Minority Leader John Mbadi said Magoha is an excellent performer who has transformed every intuition he has headed.
“When the nominee was made VC, there was a lot of turmoil at the University of Nairobi. His period was the most successful at the institution. He exhibits strong leadership qualities,” he said.
Deputy Minority Leader Jimmy Angwenyi said Magoha fits the bill in all aspects.
“He has a strong character as a person and he will tell you his mind the way it is. He will not lie to you so that he you can support him,” he said.
Nominated MP Wilson Sossion, who is also secretary general of Knut, urged the CS-designate to be consultative in his leadership and ensure unity of all stakeholders to succeed.
“We would expect him to provide good leadership and unite the sector so that it can deliver on the expectations of Kenya in quality education for all,” he said.
Sossion has opposed the ongoing piloting of the competency-based curriculum that Magoha vowed to implement during vetting. But he said the union will engage Magoha productively to address the problems the sector faces.
Mandera North MP Bashir Haji opposed Magoha’s appointment saying that he is an arrogant person who will not be approachable once appointment.
He said the CS-designate oversaw militarisation of national exams when he was the chairman of the Kenya National Examinations Council.
“You might have very good papers and CVs but that does mean you will be a very good manger,” he said.
He added: “A case in hand is last year’s KCSE exam. There was militarisation of the entire process. Every minister, civil servant, went out there with arms guarding students curtesy of Magoha. Were the students al Shabaab?”
He said Magoha declined to have anaudience with leaders from North Eastern over cancellation of exams.
"There is an issue of arrogance and I can assure you that all of you will not be able to access his office," he said.
Suna East MP Junet Mohamed said there has been a tendency by some highly educated people to look down upon the less educated and that Magoha exhibits the same traits.
But MPs Milly Odhiambo and Babu Owino defended Magoha, saying most people are confusing his firmness for arrogance.
Magoha will replace Amina Mohamed who was moved to Sports ministry following the sacking of Rashid Achesa.