By Obegi Malack
Deputy President (DP) Rigathi Gachagua has assured tutors that humiliation by the national government is now a thing of the past.
Gachagua who was speaking on Wednesday at CEMASTEA Research Institute during the commencement of induction for the Working Party on Education Reforms taskforce castigated the past regime for humiliating and embarrassing tutors in front of their learners.
“Never will it happen that we go to an institution and dress down a teacher or lecturer infront of their students like it happened to Prof. Wainaina. Teachers must be given their respect and dignity,” he said.
He added that when there is an issue, the government will call them in the privacy of their offices to address the issues in a dignified manner.
“Teachers in Kirinyaga and elsewhere were punished for not supporting the government of the day. They are now going to get their dignity back. I assure you,” he said.
The DP pointed out that former Kenyatta University Vice Chancellor Paul Wainaina was humiliated by the past regime in front of his students and the country at large.
Wainaina, who is now a member of the CBC review taskforce, was dismissed from service on August 5, 2022 after he clashed with former President Uhuru Kenyatta over the contested Kenyatta University land.
The government had allocated the land for the construction of the World Health Organization (WHO) African regional operations and logistics hub but Prof. Wainaina objected saying that the allocation of part of the university land to WHO was not in the best interest of the university as the management had not been involved.
Gachagua urged the education stakeholders to emulate the Professor and always speak truth to power saying that the current government allowed for criticism.
The event was graced by outgoing Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha and Education CS nominee Ezekiel Machogu.
