Education CS Ezekiel Machogu during the late Professor George Magoha's requiem mass at the Consolata Shrine, Westlands. [David Gichuru, Standard]
Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ezekiel Machogu said he will forever be indebted to his predecessor, Prof. George Magoha, whom he described as a friend and professional colleague.
Machogu revealed on Thursday, February 9 how Magoha took his (Machogu's) son under his wing, when Magoha was appointed the Education minister in March 2019 by now-retired President Uhuru Kenyatta.
"When Magoha was appointed the [Education] CS three-and-a-half years ago, he picked a young man, who was a lecturer at the University of Nairobi in the Faculty of Law, [as his key aide]. That young man happens to be my son, Paul Machogu. Magoha walked with Machogu Junior every step of the way," the Education CS said in his speech during Magoha's requiem mass at the Consolata Shrine in Nairobi.
Machogu further narrated that his son, Paul, prepared the handover notes for Magoha as he exited the Education ministry upon the expiry of President Kenyatta's term.
"It was my son who did the hand-over notes in August last year, not knowing who would take over the [Education] ministry [as Cabinet Secretary]," said Machogu, adding: "The family of Magoha and mine have been good friends since the year 2020."
Machogu eulogised his predecessor as a visionary and transformative leader, whose key focus was improving Kenya's education sector.
"His experience and work ethic endeared him to many in the ministry. The country is poorer without him," said Machogu.