Nairobi News

The credentials of former Alliance High School principal Christopher Khaemba were questioned and almost derailed his appointment as the Executive member  in  charge of Education in Nairobi.

County Reps  were divided on whether he was suitable for the position, considering he was not a first degree holder, a requirement for appointment to the Executive Committee.

Although those supporting Mr Khaemba’s profile  carried the day, details emerged  on how he was exempted from pursuing a first degree by Kenyatta University.

“Thousands of A students have passed through Mr Khaemba’s hands. When he applied for a degree course, the Kenyatta University Senate exempted him for he would have sat with the students he had taught,” said Majority Leader Elias Otieno.

Mr Otieno was communicating the position of the Appointment Committee chaired  by Speaker Alex Ole Magelo which vetted Mr Khaemba.

The former principal holds a diploma in Science Education from Kenya Science Teachers College and a master’s degree in Business Administration from Kenyatta University.

Reps argued for more than 40 minutes on whether academic certificates were all one needed to perform.

Pipeline Rep Samuel Kagiri, the only graduate in the panel, said Mr Khaemba was one of the greatest teachers Kenya had ever produced. He said it was sheer nonsense to reject him on the basis of a degree certificate.

“We may have to review this requirement. It is absurd that someone can think Mr Khaemba, with all he has to offer, is not suitable,” he said.

But Kahawa West County Rep Patrick Ngaruiya shot back and said Mr Khaemba failed to read signs of the times and enrol for school-based degree programmes.

“Legally speaking, he isn’t qualified,” said Mr Ngaruiya.

Mr Otieno had a rough time explaining that going by his record of mentoring young people into responsible adults, Mr Khaemba was the best pick for the Education docket.