By Augustine Oduor

NAIROBI, KENYA: As minister for Education, late Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo, led robust efforts to enact stinging reforms in the education sector.

During the last Parliament, he spearheaded enactment of crucial laws at the ministry, which set pace for major changes.

In about one year that he served at the helm of Education Ministry, Mutula played a pivotal role in implementation of the demands of education as espoused in the new Constitution. Yesterday, Education PS George Godia described Mutula as a “committed and focused leader who was out to bring reforms everywhere he was.”

He said the former minister’s knowledge in law was a firm basis for the necessary education reforms. “He was able to facilitate the drafting of all necessary legislations to change the education sector forever,” he said.

Prof Godia said throughout his time at Jogoo House, Mutula never took a trip abroad. “He delegated all the trips because he always said he wants the Bills passed first,” he said.  He added: “Even as he left the Justice ministry, he often told us he felt more close to the education sector.”

The Basic Education Act that requires all parents to ensure their children are enrolled in school was passed under his watch.

Stiff penalties

The law sets out stiff penalties for parents and guardians who fail to enroll their children to school. It also abhors child labour and spells out necessary interventions.

Mutula also oversaw enactment of the Kenya National Examination Council Bill that has changed the way examinations are administered. The law prescribes stringent measures for examinations cheats, students, teachers and even parents who condone the vice.

One of the clauses in this Bill outlaws teachers’ strike during examinations. Another is the Sessional Paper No. 14 of 2012 on reforming Education and training sectors in Kenya and the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development Bill.

The Teachers Service Commission Act was also passed under his watch. Commission Secretary Gabriel Lengoiboni said Mutula would be missed for his major contribution in legal and education sectors.

“This was a selfless man who dedicated all his energies in everything he did. It is through his efforts that we saw the TSC Bill through,” he said.

Mr Lengoiboni said Mutula was also a committed member of the Senate Education Committee.

Teachers’ unions also sent their condolences noting they worked closely with the former minister.

Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) boss Xavier Nyamu said the country has lost a “big mind.”