Education Ministry Faces Internal Strife Over Key Appointment
Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu and his Principal Secretary for Technical, Vocational Education, and Training (TVET), Dr. Esther Muoria, are at odds over one of the ministry’s top positions.
As a result of the disagreements, Machogu has issued a dire warning to any Ministry official who continues to disregard the legitimate Director of Technical Education, Dr. Meshack C. Opwora.
Machogu stated in a letter dated September 1, 2023, that any disregard of approvals, directives, or instructions provided by the duly appointed and posted Director of Technical Education, while carrying out his responsibilities, will be addressed in accordance with the relevant legal, regulatory, and policy framework.
The letter is also copied to Dr. Muoria, Dr. Belio Kipsang (Basic Education PS), and Dr. Beatrice Inyangala (Higher Education and Research PS).
The letter is addressed to all chief executives and directors-general of semi-autonomous government agencies under the State Department for Technical, Vocational Education and Training, as well as principals of national polytechnics and technical training institutes.
Sources at the Ministry implied that Machogu’s letter was precipitated by an alleged drive by Ms. Muoria for the appointment of another senior officer in the Ministry as the Director of Technical Education in an acting capacity.
Dr. Muoria appointed John Kiplagat Tuwei as Interim Director of Vocational and Technical Education (DTE) on April 12.
And during a TVET meeting on August 25 at Tom Mboya Labour College in Kisumu, Tuwei was introduced as the Director of Technical Education by PS Muoria, despite the fact that Dr. Opwora had already been appointed to the position.
Dr. Mworia declined to comment, stating that she was not qualified to assess a letter that her supervisor had written.
Education Ministry Faces Internal Strife Over Key Appointment
