The Public Service Commission (PSC) has moved with speed to strip education cabinet secretary some of his powers following a viral video that he was captured dressing down an education officer in Uasin Gishu county.
The power to manage the human resource functions had been delegated to the Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Education George Magoha, but now the CS will not execute this function.
In circular seen by this Jambo News, the role of human resource in the Ministry of education has been delegated to the Principal Secretary for Early Learning and Basic Education, Dr. Richard Belio Kipsang, CBS with immediate effect
“The purpose of this general letter is to inform you that in view of the recent incident in the Ministry of Education relating to the role of the Authorized Officer, the Commission has in the meantime withdrawn the delegation of its powers and functions from the Cabinet Secretary, Prof. George A. O. Magoha, CBS and delegated the said powers to the Principal Secretary for Early Learning and Basic Education, Dr. Richard Belio Kipsang, CBS with immediate effect,” the circular reads.
In a viral video that spread online like bush fire, CS Magoha was seen admonishing the grey-haired education officer.
“The situation on the ground is not good,” Magoha stated as he took issue with the cleanliness levels of the Langas Primary School compound in Eldoret.
“If I say you are a fool would I be lying?” Magoha posed to the official.
The grey-haired official did not get to add another word before the CS dismissed him from the inspection tour stating, “Wewe ni mjinga kabisa (You are very foolish).”
The matter had attracted attention of education stakeholders.
Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Uasin Gishu Secretary General Elijah Maiyo earlier this week threatened to initiate the process of firing Education Cabinet Secretary if he was not going to be remorseful and apologize.
“We are asking the CS to issue an apology immediately, failure to which we are going to seek legal redress because it is unbecoming for a man of his stature to refer to an Education Director as a fool,” stated Maiyo.