Magoha to be probed over claims of unethical conduct

Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha may be in more trouble than he thought after the ethics watchdog began investigations into his conduct.

The investigations follow a recent incident where the CS was caught on camera allegedly bullying a senior county education official.

Prof Magoha has since last week stuck to his guns, stating that he saw nothing wrong regarding the incident involving Uasin Gishu County Director of Education Dr Gitonga Mbaka over the state of Langas Primary School.

This is despite the huge uproar caused by a video showing the Education CS giving Dr Mbaka a dressing-down in public.

On Monday evening the Ethics And Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) summoned Dr Mbaka to appear before it in order to assist in investigations over Prof Magoha's conduct.

"The commission, pursuant to its constitutional and statutory mandate, is investigating allegations of unethical conduct touching on the Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Education regarding an incident that occurred at Langas Primary School in Eldoret town on or about November 6 during a tour of the school," EACC said in a letter addressed to Dr Mbaka.

"The commission has reason to believe that you may have information that may assist in this investigation and would like you to shed light and record a statement on the matter," the letter signed by Mark Ndiema further read.

Consequently, Dr Mbaka has been invited to show up at EACC's Eldoret offices on Wednesday at 10am to share with detectives what he knows about the incident.

In the 30-second clip that has put Prof Magoha in trouble, the Education CS seemed unhappy with the state of Langas Primary School and the answers he was getting from Dr Mbaka seemed not to satisfy him.

Magoha's diatribe

The CS was on a tour of the school to access the delivery of desks in preparation for the reopening of schools in January.

“Nikisema wewe ni mjinga ni uwongo (Would I be wrong if I say you are a fool)?" asked the CS before following up with more insults.

"You are talking about a report and I'm talking about what is here on the ground. You can go, I said you get away from here, wewe ni mjinga kabisa (You’re a complete fool)," said the CS.

On Monday evening's commencement of investigations over the matter comes as a double blow to the tough talking CS who has already lost his human resources powers in his ministry.

Over the weekend, the Public Service (PSC) announced that all human resource matters at the ministry shall henceforth, be handled by Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang.

"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 Authorised 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,” PSC Chairperson Stephen Kirogo said in a circular.

The move by PSC according to Mr Kirogo is meant to "protect public servants against undignified and unwarranted attacks.”

However, in a rejoinder, Prof Magoha termed the move by PSC as lacking merit since any change in his job description can only be done by President Uhuru Kenyatta as the appointing authority.

“Nobody should be surprised at how I do things, I was in KNEC (Kenya National Examinations Council)… I made things work and now I am here to protect the interest of parents and children. Anytime I cannot do that I have no business being here,” said Prof Magoha.