Insiders have shared insights into the intrigues that saw President Uhuru Kenyatta transfer PS Belio Kipsang from the Ministry Education, where he has served for eight years, to the less prestigious State Department for Regional and Northern Corridor Development.
Sources aware of the happenings in government alleged that a frosty relationship between Education CS George Magoha and Kipsang' led to the changes.
Dr Juma Jwan replaced Kipsang as the PS State Department for Early Learning & Basic Education. Former Education CAS Zack Kinuthia was also transferred to the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage.
Kenyatta appointed Dr Sara Ruto and Hassan Noor Hassan as CASs in the Education docket under Magoha.
The changes were reportedly occasioned by the Public Service Commission (PSCs) decision to strip off Magoha's human resource powers which were handed over to Belio Kipsang. This was after Magoha abused Uasin Gishu County Director of Education, Gitonga Mbaka on November 6, 2020.
Sources privy to the changes claimed that Magoha and Kipsang's relationship severed and almost escalated before Kenyatta saved the situation.
The head of state used the opportunity to also effect other changes in government, where he reshuffled PSs and CASs and appointed eight new CAS on Wednesday, February 17.
Reports allege that Kenyatta wanted to avoid a full-blown crisis in one of the most crucial docket in Kenya. The Education Ministry is also under the spotlight and pressure over the closure and reopening of schools during the Covid-19 crisis.
While handing over Magoha's powers to Kipsang, PSC Chairman Stephen Kirogo said that the move was in the exercise of the commission’s powers and commitment to protecting public servants against undignified and unwarranted attacks, reiterating that the execution of delegated authority is designed to foster public confidence and maintain the integrity and dignity of the public service.
Magoha had faced backlash over insulting Mbaka, who he accused of failing to execute his orders. The CS claimed that schools under Mbaka's jurisdiction were in a pathetic state prior to reopening of schools on January 4, 2021.
The CS dismissed the withdrawal of his human resource authority by the Public Service Commission, insisting that only President Kenyatta can issue such an order. He admitted that he made a mistake and was not perfect, but declined to apologise.
"I thank all officers within the education sector for their diligence and continue to persuade the few who are left behind to join us in delivering for the Kenyan child as a team.
"Unless otherwise directed by my appointing authority, I shall continue to perform all my duties and responsibilities with zeal and commitment and ensure that all officers in the Ministry of Education perform their duties for the benefit of the Kenyan child, parents and all education stakeholders.
"I would like to state without any fear of contradiction that in my life, which is not very young and not very old, I have learned that nobody is perfect. If anybody has seen a perfect person, you should tell me that person. What drives me is practising Christianity," the CS said.
He has constantly insisted that he is the best candidate to effect changes in the Ministry of Education. Magoha said that he transformed the University of Nairobi (UoN) while he was the Vice-Chancellor and also curbed education malpractices while he was Chairman of the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC).
