Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana was hard-pressed by Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung'wa to verify claims that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga taught in university at the time the governor was a student.
While appearing on Citizen TV's Monday Report on Monday, January 17, Ichung'wa sent out a tweet posing a question to the governor.
He challenged the governor to substantiate his claims about Raila- noting that the governor is a former teacher with over 25 years ofexperience and his students could verify the same. Ichung'wa, however, posed if any student could verify that he was taught by the former Premier.
"Governor Kibwana says Raila Odinga taught at the University when he was a student? What did he teach and does the professor know at least one student he taught? Kibwana knows a number of his own students and they profess he taught them. How about Raila?"Ichungwa posed.
In his response, Kibwana noted that the former Prime Minister taught in the Engineering Department but his career as a lecturer was cut short due to his drive towards political activism.
"He taught in engineering but didn't teach for a long time because of his political activism. I went to university in 1973 and at that point in time he taught in engineering. I think it comes to a point that we have to accept some truths," Kibwana responded to Ichungwa.
Raila, in past briefings, has noted that he began teaching at the University of Nairobi at the tender age of 25 years.
"I started teaching at this university at 25 years. My department is just opposite from this building. I'm so happy that I gave talks in the Taifa Hall on so many occasions, " he stated during a visit to UoN in October last year.
Further, Nyeri Senator Ephraim Maina has in the past claimed to be Raila's former student. He attributed his engineering career to the ODM leader.
“Raila was my lecturer in university. So anytime you refer to me as an engineer, know that I gained my knowledge from him. He is also an engineer like me and I have no doubt in his ability to lead this country,” he previously stated.
Kibwana also hailed the Azimio la Umoja movement- noting that the decision to shelve his Presidential ambitions was based on consultations with the Makueni residents.
“As a majority of the governors in the country, we have agreed in unison to support the 5th who is Raila Odinga in the 2022 statehouse race. I consulted my people in Makueni on Thursday where we had a meeting with the entire leadership and they told me to support Azimio la Umoja,” he noted.
The governor unveiled his decision during the Naivasha meeting whereby 30 governors endorsed Raila's Presidential bid.
“They told me I still have age on my side and in at some future point, I will resume my presidential candidature. I will support Azimio la Umoja through Muungano party. I'm happy that the next president will take the country forward,” he stated.
