Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu faces criticism from MPs over alleged tribal appointments in the ministry. MPs direct the Auditor General to conduct a special audit. Machogu denies the accusations, emphasizing the need to examine all appointments.
Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has come under intense scrutiny from Members of Parliament (MPs) regarding recent appointments in his ministry, which they allege are based on tribal considerations.
During a session of the Public Investments Committee (PIC) on governance and education chaired by Bumula MP Wamboka Wanami, MPs accused Machogu of favoring his kinsmen in appointments. They directed Auditor General Nancy Gathungu to conduct a special audit of the ministry’s establishment.
The debate erupted after MPs noted a gazette notice detailing appointments of key personnel in various universities, where, out of 10 appointments, eight were allegedly from Machogu’s tribe.
Among the appointments listed in the gazette notice, several individuals from Machogu’s tribe were appointed to university councils and the Commission for University Education (CUE).
Chairman Wamboka raised concerns about the apparent pattern of appointing individuals from a specific tribe, directing the auditor general to investigate the ethnic composition of the ministry.
However, Machogu refuted the allegations, urging the committee to review all appointments instead of focusing on one gazette notice. He defended the appointments made during his tenure and emphasized that he had not appointed the majority of individuals from his community.
Machogu also provided information about recent appointments of vice chancellors to 14 universities, highlighting delays caused by the Public Service Commission (PSC) in concluding these appointments.
Regarding Kaimosi Friends University, Machogu explained that the appointment of a substantive Vice Chancellor was delayed due to legal challenges.
In response to concerns about financial accountability, Machogu acknowledged challenges in accounting for funds allocated to private universities. The committee announced plans to involve the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to investigate individuals colluding with private universities.
The allegations of tribal favoritism in education ministry appointments highlight the importance of transparency and meritocracy in public appointments and underscore the need for thorough oversight to ensure fair and equitable practices.
