CS Magoha's new directive to students in boarding schools

Piece by: Dennis Milimo

17 August 2022

• CS George Magoha has apologized to Kenyans over his arrogant remarks

• The CS assured parents that the government will not disrupt the school calendar again

Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha has issued an update on how boarding schools will operate in case of another election.

Speaking on Wednesday, Magoha told parents that their children will not be sent home again but instead kept in school as Kenyans exercise their democratic rights.

Professor Magoha noted that despite schools being used as polling stations they would rather keep students in school – playing games and staying in their hotels.

If there’s going to be another election, children in boarding schools won’t go home. They can be told to play games and remain in the hostels for that day. It’s easier to deal with it that way.

The CS went on to reiterate that all schools will re-open tomorrow, August 18, 2022. The ministry had postponed the re-opening after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) delayed in announcing the winner of the 2022 Presidential Election.

On Saturday, Magoha issued a statement, directing all students not to report back to school on August 15 as earlier communicated.

"I hereby convey the Government’s decision on the suspension of the re-opening of all Basic Education institutions with effect from Monday, 15th August 2022 until Thursday 18th August 2022.

The CS further explained his decision to close schools ahead of the August 9, General Election.

I ordered the early closure of all Basic Education Institutions to allow for adequate preparation and conduct of the General Elections.

However, Magoha maintained that being the President’s handyman, he has to ensure all government policies in his ministry are implemented without fail, hence his tough nature.

As the President's handymen, expect us to go with him, but we want to assure the public that we have taken all the arrows and the stones and forgotten about it because of our children.

The tough-talking CS also used the opportunity to apologize to the public for any of his jokes that may have offended them.

I respect everybody. The way you see me, the courage that I have comes from God and Starehe Boys Centre. We are eagles and we fly high and we are not afraid. There is no one who is perfect and I believe that for me to serve here was by the grace of God.

Before being appointed CS, Magoha who is a Professor of Surgery served as the Vice Chancellor at Nairobi University from 2005 until 2015