Eyes on Matiang’i as he faces battles set off by Kaimenyi

There is no telling what was going through the mind of former Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi as the new CS announced results of an examination undertaken during his tenure.

Newly appointed CS Fred Matiang'i released the results at Mtihani House in the annual ritual that places the Cabinet Secretary for Education at the centre of national attention.

Prof Kaimenyi was transferred to the Ministry of Lands in last month's Cabinet reshuffle by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The last time Kaimenyi announced the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) results, he began by saying that he had abolished school ranking system, a decision that was greeted with both jeers and cheers from education stakeholders.

It was a controversial decision that he defended by arguing that he was only implementing recommendations of previous reports by education experts.

In one swoop, the age old tradition fell by the way side and the current CS will stick to the Kaimenyi script, much to the chagrin of private school owners.

Kaimenyi served as Education CS from 2013 and was largely viewed as being unpopular with stakeholders.

His run-ins with education stakeholders, including teachers' unions, made him the subject of their ire for most of his tenure at Jogoo House.

They cited him for a number of blunders, including flouting the Public Officers Act 2003 by allowing schools and other learning institutions to operate without boards of management which they argued resulted in discrimination against special-needs schools, and a delay in the disbursement of free primary and secondary school funds.

Early this year, the former CS found himself in the crosshairs of MPs who wanted him out for alleged "arrogance" and making of unilateral decisions.

Although he survived by the skin of his teeth, those who wanted him out of the ministry were happy that the professor of dentistry was no longer at the centre of yesterday's most important exercise in the country's education calendar.

Matayos MP Geoffrey Odanga, who moved the impeachment motion against Kaimenyi, said that the absence of Kaimenyi at yesterday's exercise was a symbolic win for those who wanted him out of the ministry.

With the new CS, we want the sector to run smoothly, and we don't expect Matiangi to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor," added Odanga, who also blamed the former CS for failing to tackle school unrest and examination cheating during his tenure.

"We hope that we are not going to have cases of exam cheating. If there are, let Kenyans know it happened under his watch," said Odanga.

During his tenure, Kaimenyi was also put on the spot over the controversial Standard Eight laptop project, whose tendering his ministry was accused of mismanaging.

But the former Education CS also has his supporters, who argued that it is sad that Kaimenyi, a former university administrator, no longer has a role in education matters.

"I seriously feel that Kaimenyi is the best we ever had. He was a firm person, knew what was supposed to be done, but people wouldn't allow him to do it," said Janet Muthoni, the founder of Elimu Yetu Coalition.

"We hope that Matiang'i will follow in Kaimenyi's footsteps and will have the will power to do the right thing," said Ms Muthoni.