Machogu Appoints Ex-CAS Sara Ruto & 61 Others

Chairperson of Kisii University Council Dr. Sara Ruto addresses a KICD meeting on August 6, 2019.
Chairperson of Kisii University Council Dr. Sara Ruto addresses a KICD meeting on August 6, 2019.
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KICD

Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu appointed former Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Sara Ruto as chairperson for Kisii University Council. 

In a Gazette Notice published on Tuesday, May 23, the CS made a total of 62 appointments to various positions for a period of three years.

Prof Amukowa Anangwe, a former Minister during the late President Daniel Moi's era who served as Butere Member of Parliament, was appointed as chairperson of the University of Nairobi (UoN) council. The Council will also have Ahmed Sheikh Abdullai, Darmain Warkae, Kerubo Omwenga and Sally Toroitich.

For Maseno University, Professor Naftali Omolo was appointed as chairperson of the council. He was appointed alongside Matilda Chemutai Sang, Darius Getanda and Ponyochi Kunyobo.

Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu speaking on Wednesday April 26, 2023
Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu speaking on Wednesday, April 26, 2023.
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Ministry of Education

In Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, four appointments were made including David Oyugi, Joan Odawa, Ambeyi Ligavo and Isaac Chebon.

David Serem was appointed as Chuka University Council's  chairperson and would head Crispus Ndeke, Linet Kwamboka, Samuel Gacheru, Zephania Mbaka, and Margaret Makhungu.

On the other hand, the CS revoked ten appointments from the various universities.

Irene Caroline Chizupo was axed from Kisii University, Margaret Maimba was ejected from Laikipia University and Lucy Kiria's appointment at Maasai Mara University was also revoked.

Jacqueline Muthoni (Masinde Muliro), Harriet Chiggai (South Eastern Kenya University) and Anne Sabania (Technical University of Mombasa) were also kicked out.

Three appointments from Pwani University comprising Renee Kariuki, Nyachae Samuel, Bernard Iria and Noor Yusuf were also revoked.

The public universities had initially faced a leadership crisis owing to the lack of council members to oversee the operations of the institutions.

Consequently, various unions had piled pressure on the Ministry of Education to name council members.

Profile

Not a stranger to the education sector, Sara Ruto's experience spans over three decades having served in different capacities in education agencies.

Prior to her appointment as Education CAS, Ruto was the Chairperson of the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD).

Among her notable involvements include United Nations Education Scientific Cultural Organization- UNESCO’s Global Education Monitoring Report, the Knowledge Platform on Inclusive Development Policies (INCLUDE) and the Brookings Millions Advisory Group.

The former CAS was also singled out by the late Professor George Magoha for playing a pivotal role in the success realised in the Ministry of Education. 

"I hope that the incoming govt will forget politics and perhaps tap her professional experience in teacher education," the late Prof Magoha vouched for Dr Ruto in his last days in office. 

A collage of Kenyatta University (left), Moi University (centre), and Egerton University (right)
A collage of the entrance to Kenyatta University (left), Moi University (centre), and Egerton University (right)
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Kenyatta University / Moi University