Uasin Gishu education official questioned over CS Magoha's slur

Uasin Gishu County Director of Education Gitonga Mbaka has recorded a statement at the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) North Rift regional offices in Eldoret over claims of unethical conduct by Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha.

This is after the Education CS was captured in a viral video that showed him insulting and publicly humiliating Dr Mbaka.

EACC North Rift boss Japhet Baithalu said that they summoned the senior county education official to shed light on what transpired at Langas Primary School during an impromptu visit by the CS two weeks ago.

"We learnt this from the public that there were some issues that transpired and we wanted him to shed light on them," Mr Baithalu said.

Dr Mbaka, who is expected to retire in March next year after over 35 years of service in the education sector, said he had told EACC what he had to tell them following the summon.

But human rights lobby groups led by Eldoret-based Centre Against Torture took issue with the EACC, saying that the State agency was out to victimise Dr Mbaka.

"We are apprehensive that this man (Mbaka) is being victimised because CS Magoha has not been summoned to record a statement. Prof Magoha is the aggressor while Dr Mbaka is the victim," said Mr Kimutai Kirui from the Centre Against Torture.

Mr Kirui called on President Uhuru Kenyatta to sack the CS, terming him a bully who is not fit to hold a public office.

"We don't want bullies in our offices. This is an outright abuse and misuse of office. Magoha should go home. I am afraid that Dr Mbaka, who is the victim here, may not be able to get justice because the aggressor has not been summoned to give his side of the story."

During the visit to Langas Primary School in Kapseret, the CS accused Dr Mbaka of failure to inspect schools in his jurisdiction.

Interestingly, he seemed not to have known who Dr Mbaka was for, in the video, he asks, "Na huyu ni nani? (Who is this?)"

When he demanded answers on why the school was in the state he found it, Dr Mbaka stepped forward to explain, but Prof Magoha would hear none of it.

"Sir, I said I have a report ... this is being addressed," Dr Mbaka says in the clip.

"Nikisema wewe ni mjinga ni uongo? (If I say that you are fool, would I be lying?) You are talking about the report, I'm talking about what is here," an angry Prof Magoha says.

"Sir, we have noted. We're working on it."

"Unaweza enda! (You can leave!) Get away from this meeting! Wewe ni mjinga kabisa! (You're a complete fool)!"

On Wednesday, Dr Mbaka was interrogated alongside Kapseret director of education.

The headteacher of Langas Primary School appeared before the commission on Tuesday while the deputy will appear Thursday.