Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Fred Matiang’i has spoken out after a Kenya Airports Authority security guard was fired for allegedly humiliating him at the airport.
Ms Daisy Cherogony was accused of having mistreated and embarrassed Dr Matiang'i on April 16 by insisting that he queues with the other passengers who were waiting to board their flights at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
The security guard was two days later suspended and required to appear before a disciplinary committee after which she was issued with a letter of dismissal on May 11 under what was termed as gross misconduct.
However, the CS took to Twitter on Friday where he denied any links with the firing of the guard explaining that he had never gone through an airport without security clearance.
Matiang’i further stated that Cherogony was not fired because of him, referring to a letter showing the security guard was dismissed over a disciplinary process that started in February.
The CS tweeted: "I wonder if anyone has perused the severance letter of this officer. It refers to a disciplinary process in February.
"How could she have been disciplined because of me in April while the documents show a process started in February?"
I wonder if anyone has perused the severance letter of this officer. It refers to a disciplinary process in February
— Fred Matiangi (@FredMatiangi) June 30, 2017
I have just seen the papers now. As always, I will place in thepublic domain all the truth about this in a communication later.
— Fred Matiangi (@FredMatiangi) June 30, 2017
I am simply a victim of my office and public profile on this KAA matter. I am shocked about the calous fabrications around it.
— Fred Matiangi (@FredMatiangi) June 30, 2017
Kenyans on Twitter had mixed reactions to the incident with most feeling that Matiang'i had a right to complain about the treatment by the security guard while other's claimed that he took advantage of his position and caused Cherogony to be fired.
Here are some of the tweets:
Long last, CS Matiang'i graduates from a Reformist to a Politician & gets a poor Kalenjin girl fired for refusing him to jump queue at KAA.
— Donald B Kipkorir (@DonaldBKipkorir) June 30, 2017
Daisy cherogony should be reinstated unconditionally. Dr Fred Matiangi should not let this young lady remain jobless on his account
— Sen Mutula KilonzoJR (@SenMutula) July 1, 2017
This matter is being politicised. So Matiang'i shd not have complained? The lady has 3 other cases, why this one?
— Dr. Ezekiel Mutua (@EzekielMutua) July 1, 2017
I hope justice is served for her through the courts. And action taken against CS Matiang'i for abuse of his office.
— Muki (@Muki254) July 1, 2017
@FredMatiangi (1) CS transport said this was the 3rd complaint about this staffer, why are the 2 b4 CS Matiangi not being lynched? #facts
— Kibet Benard (@KibetBenard_) July 1, 2017
