Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i recounted how former President Uhuru Kenyatta formulated directives that ended examination cheating during his tenure in the education ministry.
Speaking at the home of his former colleague, George Magoha, on Tuesday, January 31, Matiang'i relived the day Uhuru told them to look for another country if they failed to address the mess at the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC).
The former President reportedly called him at midnight while he was in Mombasa County, to inform him of the changes being effected in the ministry.
Matiang'i added that he travelled back to Nairobi the following day, where he was briefed on guidelines issued to counter exam malpractices.
Magoha, who then served as the KNEC chairperson, accompanied him that early Saturday morning meeting.
"I remember that Saturday morning when you rounded us up with PS Belio Kipsang, Teachers Service Commission (TSC) boss Nancy Macharia, Magoha and I. You said that we must bring an end to examination cheating.
"My colleagues know what we go through in those situations. You said that we needed to end the nonsense of examination cheating or that we needed to find another country," Matiang'i stated.
The CS intimated that Uhuru was keen on ending the vice adding that they worked under a tight schedule, organising numerous meetings with high-ranking government officials.
Despite being required to work under intense pressure, the former CS described the period as the best moment of his life.
However, he credited Magoha for his immense role in the process, promising to narate more details in his memoir.
"You imposed a very punishing schedule on us wanting updates on a fortnight basis. We worked slavishly but happily too.
"Magoha was so committed that he actually travelled to Uganda himself because we were looking at systems around and we wanted to borrow a leaf from those around us. He never wanted hearsay. He brought a report and a critique on what we needed to do," he added.
Matiang'i made the remarks while in the company of Uhuru as they condoled with the family of Magoha. Also present was former First Lady Margaret Kenyatta.
