By Enock Okong’o
Cabinet Secretary for Education nominee Ezekiel Machogu has commended the Church for being at the forefront of supporting and developing the education sector in the country since independence.
Machogu said that if approved, he will push the government to increase partnerships with the church and the private sector to continue supporting education projects in the country.
“The government recognized the important role played by the Church and the private sector and will continue to support them in providing quality education for our children,” he said.
The CS nominee was addressing a congregation at Kisii Stadium to mark 35 years of active service in the church by Kisii Diocese Bishop Joseph Okemwa Mairura.
The Bishop urged the youth to embrace Christianity in their lives because without spiritual knowledge and nourishment, their education will not be of much value.
“True knowledge is that which comes from the fear of God and by embracing the teachings of the Bible in your lives,” Said the Bishop.
He asked the youth to be the ambassadors of peace due to their abundance of energy unlike their elders.
The Bishop appealed to all leaders in various positions to preach unity adding that a house divided cannot stand.
In attendance was Kisii County Governor Simba Arati who promised that his government will work hand in hand with the National government for development of the education sector in the county with more focus on the growth of technical institutions.
“Our country is geared towards industrialization that comes with improved technology. It is on this note that we must prepare to facilitate it by training enough manpower,” he said.
He thanked Mr. Machogu for pledging to provide pocket-friendly education to Kenyans on the backdrop of numerous complaints by parents over the costliness of the Competence Based Curriculum (CBC).
The governor noted that the County had put in place a permanent education bursary fund to support bright children who came from needy families.
He asked heads of institutions to utilize the funds prudently once disbursed as they will be held accountable.
“We shall try to support our people with quality services but first we must remove any corrupt officials from their positions,” he appealed.
South Mugirango MP Sylvanus Osoro who is also Parliament Chief Whip asked the residents to keep on supporting the government because it had many goodies in store for them.
He told the secondary school leavers to form groups and register them with the Social Services Department so as to take advantage of the ‘Hustler Fund’ that will be launched by the President in December.
Osoro thanked President Ruto for nominating Ezekiel Machogu and asked him to consider appointments for other able persons from the community to serve in his government.
Also in attendance was Nyaribari Chache MP Zaheel Jhanda who congratulated Bishop Mairura for diligent spiritual service.
