Education CS Prof George Magoha was angered by university Vice Chancellors for skipping a conference on Monday to discuss matters affecting tertiary institutions.
Out of 78 VCs, Magoha was astonished to find that less than 20 were present at the venue, Radisson Blu Hotel in Upperhill. The rest had sent representatives.
When he took to the podium, the CS asked to be allowed to speak from the hip as he had always done.
"I can't pretend I'm happy this morning. How many people are representing VCs here this morning?" Magoha asked.
He instructed the representatives to stand up and when they hesitated, the former KNEC Chair told them he already knew their identities and lying would only make matters worse.
"By my assessment most of them are cowards, we have less than 20 VCs in this gathering out of 78 and it is a shame because we are here discussing very serious policy issues," stated the no-nonsense CS.
He singled out Kenyatta University Vice-Chancellor, Paul K. Wainaina, who was in his office as early as 6am but did not find it important enough to attend the workshop.
In his speech, he questioned whether the rapid expansion of tertiary institutions was done after due diligence was conducted.
He explained that the rate at which universities were being opened watered down the quality of education.
"Though I'm just an ordinary surgeon, somebody tell me why we should have 6 universities within an area of 30-40 km² teaching exactly the same thing. It is stupid in capital letters," he noted.
"Right now, I have information which I can't give you but what I can tell you is that there's no money coming from the government to support you," he added.
He disclosed that the Education Ministry was already consuming close to 33 per cent of the national budget adding that he had no intention of increasing it to 50 per cent.
"So stop dreaming and thinking that somehow the government will provide the additional money you're asking for," the CS cautioned.
He urged varsities to be self-sustaining and figure out how to how to cut back on spending before the government acts on them.
"Within your own university systems, what is it that you have done there that you think you can correct before we correct it for you," Magoha stated.
A university staff who spoke to Kenyans.co.ke poked holes in the CS's decision arguing that the continued decline in the performance of KCSE candidates had robbed universities of self-sponsored students who contribute to the institutions' revenue.
She added that old universities were able to support themselves but newly constituted institutions needed heavy investment in terms of infrastructure and capital before finding their own footing.
Watch the video of CS Magoha speaking below.
