Politics isn’t for professors, it’s full of idiots- Knec Chair Prof George Magoha

Former University of Nairobi Vice Chancellor Prof George Magoha, believes that only a mad professor will join politics.

Magoha, who is the Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) chairman, maintains that politics is full of idiots, and that its murky waters were not meant for any level-headed professor.

“The things some of these professors do is an insult to academic excellence. I would never go into politics, because it would mean sitting with idiots,” said Magoha.

He made the remarks at a ceremony in which an entire council and senate of Maasai Mara University took a graduation ceremony to the home of veteran historian Prof Bethwel Ogot in Gem.

Professor Magoha, 62, who shocked the country with his tough talk during the release of the KCSE results in December 2016, proved once again that he is not one to mince his words.

He said that the rigorous process of educating one to the level of a professor is no mean achievement, and as such, highly-educated members of society should not “stoop low” as that was unacceptable.

“Many professors are running away from research and publishing, the very essence of being an academician,” he said.

Magoha described Ogot as an unparalleled academician, whose footsteps others should follow.

Shortly before the KCSE results were released, Magoha told teachers and parents that students do not need an A grade to be successful in life.

Speaking passionately about the dangers of giving students undeserved grades, Magoha faulted Kenyas’ “obsession” with A grades.

“If you think that you need an A to make it in life, then that is the second stupidity that you have to get out of your system,” he admonished.

“Ask yourselves what we, as teachers, are doing. If you accept to be a toilet cleaner, you should clean that toilet so well, that it looks cleaner than any other thing.”