Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha has told teachers why he is a proud man who is mistakenly branded as arrogant.

Addressing head teachers at the launch of Kenya Secondary Headteachers Association (KESSHA) conference in Mombasa today, Prof Magoha said: “I am going to explain to you the way I look. I know niko na sura mbaya (I have an ugly face. But having said so, my strength comes from God and my firmness".

He added: “I am a professor and people say I am proud. Yes. If I am not proud of myself, who is going to be proud of me? So you should also be proud as teachers because teachers are the most important professionals.”’

He said that no one should tell him not to be firm because that is where he draws his zeal. The CS slammed his critics for what he termed as ‘demonising his firmness for arrogance.’

“How can a Starehe boy be arrogant? We are trained to be servant leaders by example and that is why you see me everywhere. I am telling you this so that you don’t listen to other description of the son of Magoha,” he said.

He said that his priority was to spearhead the 100 per cent transition and Competency-Based Curriculum which he said was on track. The CS told teachers that he was proud of their output in the education sector and that they are highly valued.