The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Trans Mara Branch has voiced strong opposition to the nomination of Julius Migosi as the Cabinet Secretary for Education. Speaking to the congregation at Enosain Church in Kilgoris town, the branch’s Executive Secretary, Willy Korir, emphasized that professionalism and expertise in education were overlooked in Migosi’s nomination.
Korir expressed his discontent with President William Ruto’s choice, highlighting that Migosi is not an educationist. He urged the president to consider nominating Migosi to a different docket where his expertise would be more relevant. “We need someone who understands the intricacies and challenges of the education sector,” Korir stated, adding that nominating individuals without the requisite background in education to such a critical position is a disservice to the country’s educational system.
Korir recalled past instances where appointing non-educationists to the education ministry led to significant issues. He specifically mentioned the tenure of Stephen Kalonzo as the education minister, during which teachers went on strike several times due to what they perceived as poor management and inadequate services. “We don’t want the ministry to be run by lawyers anymore,” Korir said, referencing previous education ministers who were lawyers by profession and whose leadership, according to him, resulted in a “mess of the system.”
The executive secretary also accused President Ruto of tribalism in his appointments, pointing out that the last two education CSs were from Kisii. He argued that such a pattern of appointments might not necessarily reflect the best interests of the country’s education sector. “Avoid nominating, appointing, and rewarding political supporters with sensitive positions like the education sector,” Korir advised the president. He stressed that the education ministry requires leaders who are genuinely invested in the sector’s progress and who possess a deep understanding of its needs and challenges.
Despite his criticisms, Korir offered a suggestion. If President Ruto insists on appointing someone from Kisii, he should consider bringing back Dr. Fred Matiang’i, whose record in the ministry was commendable. Matiang’i, who served as the Cabinet Secretary for Education from 2015 to 2018, is widely credited with implementing significant reforms that improved the sector’s integrity and performance. “Dr. Matiang’i’s track record speaks for itself,” Korir noted, suggesting that reinstating him would be a step in the right direction for the education ministry.
The rejection of Migosi’s nomination by KNUT’s Trans Mara Branch underscores the union’s desire for a more meritocratic approach to appointments in the education sector. Korir’s remarks reflect a broader sentiment among education stakeholders who believe that leadership in the sector should be based on expertise and a genuine commitment to educational development, rather than political affiliations.
This development puts additional pressure on President Ruto to reconsider his nomination and possibly seek a more suitable candidate who can address the pressing issues facing Kenya’s education system. The president’s decision will undoubtedly be scrutinized, not only by the education sector but also by the general public, who have a vested interest in the quality and direction of the country’s education policies.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether President Ruto will heed the advice of education professionals like Korir or stick to his initial choice. The future of Kenya’s education sector may very well depend on this crucial decision.
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