The Technical Vocational and Education Training (TVET) leadership has sparked tension after the reported designation of two individuals to serve in the same position.
The education stakeholders were left in shambles after realising that Dr. Meshack Opwora and John Tuwei (Deputy Director Technical Education) had both been handling assignments designated to the TVET national director.
Over the weekend, Mr Tuwei is reported to have graced the recent capacity building meeting comprising TVET Principals, and organized by the Kenya School of TVET at the Tom Mboya Labour College in Kisumu and was introduced at the event as Director for Technical Education by TVET Principal Secretary Esther Muoria, despite an earlier circular from Public Service confirming Dr Opwora in the same position.
In an appointment letter dated august 15, 2023 signed by Public Service Principal Secretary Amos Gatetcha, and seen by Education News, Dr Opwora was referred as the TVET director where other notable leaders including Dr. Muoira and the Chief of Staff in the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary Joseph Busiega were invited.
The same communiqué was copied to Head of Public Service Felix Koskei and Public Service CS Aisha Jumwa.
Also, in a separate communiqué dated June 19, 2023, and signed by Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu also confirmed Dr. Opwora as the man at the helm of TVET.
“As earlier discussed, Dr. Opwora has been reinstated to his previous position as the Director, Technical, Vocational Educational and Training with effect from June 21, 2023,” Hon Machogu’s correspondence addressed to Dr Muoria states in part.
“In this regard, please facilitate his immediate resumption to office.”
Despite these messages, Principals who graced the closing ceremony at Tom Mboya Labour College were surprised when Dr. Muoria introduced Tuwei as the Director Technical Education.
Dr. Opwora, a PhD holder in TVET from the University of Newcastle, Australia, coupled with a Master of Education in Educational Administration and Planning from the University of Nairobi, has served as TVET Director since 2018 with enormous results.
However he was earlier forced to ‘step aside’ from the role for months, and later reinstated when Hon. Machogu took over the Ministry. But his woes appear far from over.
By Vostine Ratemo
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