Education Cabinet Secretary, Ezekiel Machogu, today, made drastic changes at Mukumu Girls High School in Kakamega County.
Machogu, who visited the institution, transferred the School Principal, Frida Ndolo, noting that the government was still investigating the incident that led to the death of three students and one teacher.
The Principal was replaced by Jane Mmbone, who will serve in the same capacity for the foreseeable future.
Mmbone previously served as the Principal of Shikoti High School, in Kakamega County.
The Education Cabinet Secretary also dissolved the Board of Management and promised to appoint new members.
Machogu’s decision to transfer Principal Fridah Ndolo was immediately questioned by a section of Kenyans who felt like such powers were a preserve of the Teachers Service Commission.
The Teachers Service Commission Act 2012 bestows the power to hire, transfer or fire a teacher upon the body, not the Cabinet Secretary.
However, by Law, Cabinet Secretary for Education is allowed to proclaim a teacher’s transfer.
To address the technicality, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) will most likely write to Principal Fridah, formally informing her of the transfer.
Fridah’s transfer was also discussed during a meeting with Kakamega County Governor Fernandes Baraza during Machogu’s visit.
Machogu paid a courtesy to Governor Barasa and Western Regional Commissioner Samson Irungu, where he held a brief meeting on the outbreak of a disease in the county.
The Ministry of Health said on Friday, April 14, that the mysterious disease that killed three students and a teacher at Mukumu Girls High School in Kakamega County was brought about by drinking contaminated water and eating contaminated food.
