CS Magoha Abandons Kabarak Meeting After Health Scare

Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha at KNEC Offices in Nairobi on December 18, 2019
Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha at KNEC Offices in Nairobi on December 18, 2019
Simon Kiragu
Kenyans.co.ke

Ministry of Education Cabinet Secretary Professor George Magoha announced that a planned meeting at the Kabarak University was shelved after two staffers tested positive for Covid-19.

Magoha was speaking on Monday, June 29 on plans to reopen Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions across the country.

"There was a plan to have people there (Kabarak) starting Saturday and they were supposed to start working today on the University side.

Education CS George Magoha addresses the media outside KNEC headquarters, Nairobi in November 2019
Education CS George Magoha addresses the media outside KNEC headquarters, Nairobi in November 2019
File

"On the other side where we had this problem was the guest house, some two people tested positive from the guest house, up to this morning there are 80 people who arrived there, they have been quarantined," noted Magoha.

Magoha has been in touch with Ministry of Health acting Director-General Patrick Amoth and reiterated that there is no cause for alarm as the 80 will be quarantined for 14 days.

The former Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) Chairman assured the nation that he personally went and inspected the hostels at Kabarak, halls and ensured that the institution had enough hand washing points.

The CS also announced new conditions on reopening of schools that will depend on Covid-19 status, he also noted that learning institutions would not be reopened until the virus has been stabilised for at least two weeks.

He added that more on the schools reopening will be discussed in the Cabinet; if candidates will resume classes first ahead of the planned resumption in September. 

After consultations with Ministry of Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe and President Uhuru Kenyatta, Magoha revealed plans to disinfect schools after being used as quarantine centres. 

"We have since agreed that if in principle we are moving towards September we shall disengage as those places become empty.

"We shall make sure that those institutions are thoroughly fumigated and tested the way we do in medical practice which means we shall dust certain areas and see whether there is anything else so that is the least of my worries," explained Magoha.

CS George Magoha shaking hands with candidates of Kisumu Girls High School on November 5, 2019.
CS George Magoha shaking hands with candidates of Kisumu Girls High School on November 5, 2019.
The Standard