Machakos County Finance Executive Committee Member Catherine Mutanu has defended her background as a teacher, saying educators are qualified to hold senior public offices.
Speaking during the distribution of school bursaries to needy beneficiaries in Mumbuni, Machakos Town Sub-county, on Wednesday, Mutanu dismissed critics who have looked down upon her earlier career as a Christian Religious Education (CRE) and Geography teacher as misguided.
“Is it wrong if a teacher is appointed to another capacity? Don’t you pray for your child who is a teacher to become something else?” Mutanu asked parents who had gathered to collect bursary cheques for their children.
“A person teaching CRE is closer to God. I am blessed. Is being a teacher a bad thing? Are those portraying teaching as a bad profession using their brains?”
Her remarks appeared directed at supporters of gubernatorial aspirants Patrick Makau and Nzioka Waita, who have questioned her suitability for the Finance Executive Committee Member role based on her teaching background.
“If you can’t respect teachers, you cannot respect anyone, and that shows you do not want teachers’ votes,” she said.
“I have seen them refer to me as a Geography teacher, a CRE teacher, but I have also seen a governor aspirant going around with a blackboard and pen purporting to educate residents. I am a professional teacher, not an imposter pretending to teach.”
READ ALSO: TSC transfers principals in fresh leadership changes across Machakos and Kitui schools
Mutanu said Governor Wavinya Ndeti rightfully holds the Machakos governor’s seat and cannot be unseated by people campaigning through gimmicks and pretending to educate the public on leadership.
The county government issued Sh120 million in bursaries to more than 32,000 students — the highest number of beneficiaries since 2022.
By Stephen Muthini.
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
