Education Cabinet Secretary Nominee George Magoha has revealed to Members of Parliament (MPs) that he did not acquire his wealth from his time in his public service.
Responding after being asked to account for his net-worth, Magoha affirmed that he acquired his wealth from working for over a decade for in an oil rich country.
“I am as naked as you want me to be. I worked in an oil rich country for 16 years I was not stupid, I did some investments,” he asserted.
The tough-talking former Vice Chancellor of the University of Nairobi was being vetted for the position in Parliament, where the MPs were to consider his academic qualifications, integrity, conduct and track record.
Magoha, who has a 91-page CV, further explained that he has the Interior CS Fred Matiang’i as his first referee since he is the one who had initially proposed his name to the President to head KNEC.
“He is best placed to speak about my tenure [at the KNEC],” Magoha stated.
During the vetting, Mumias MP Benjamin Washiali queried Dr Magoha on a policy at the University of Nairobi that sees retired VCs continue to earn a full salary, with an assistant and researcher and whether he is currently still being paid by the university.
Read: CMA To Retain Ksh458 Million ‘Income’ For Insider Trading Suspects In KenolKobil Takeover Deal
In his response, Magoha stated: “The policy that I am benefiting from was started by others. I did not hire a researcher, or a Secretary. ”
He asserted his stand on politics affirming that he is not interested in it however if his nomination is approved, he will serve the Commander-in-chief in his capacity.
Magoha added that if he learns that he was nominated because of his tribe, he would respectfully turn down the position because he is not affiliated to any political party and he does not intend to serve only sections of Kenyans.
“I believe I was nominated because of what I can do, but if I was appointed because I am Luo I would respectfully turn it down. I wouldn’t want to have the political tag. I don’t want to be in a silo. I am not going to be taken to the level of tribe, my bodyguard Too has been with me for 10 years, he is not a Luo,” he told MPs.
Speaking on the new education curriculum, Magoha stated that it is a good system and should have been brought into implementation earlier.
“he reason I support it is because I have been on the other side looking for employees. The new curriculum is one of those things I will ensure is successful. I will sleep new curriculum, wake-up new curriculum. It is something that is deliverable.
“We have to to train teachers for the CBC. I will make sure that by August-September the curriculum for grade 4 is ready. I learnt from Starehe that you complete your task ahead of time. The new curriculum will ensure skills are put to good use,” Magoha commented.
Email your news TIPS to Editor@kahawatungu.com or WhatsApp +254707482874. You can also find us on Telegram through www.t.me/kahawatungu
Email your news TIPS to Editor@Kahawatungu.com — this is our only official communication channel
