Former Interior CS Fred Matiang'i./ COURTESY
Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i has declared that "heaven is more important than State House," saying public service should be guided by honesty, commitment and accountability as he raised fresh concerns about the state of the education sector.
Speaking at a church service at the MCK All Saints Church, Kinoru, Meru County, on Sunday, Matiang'i said his ultimate goal was not political power but faithful service to God and the country.
"Heaven is more important than the State House. I would like to go to heaven; that is my ultimate goal. But even as I am here, God expects me to serve faithfully and effectively," he said.
The former Education CS linked the remarks to what he described as a growing crisis in schools, arguing that leaders have a responsibility to confront challenges facing learners and institutions.
According to Matiang'i, schools across the country are struggling due to delayed and inadequate funding, with some institutions allegedly facing closure because of financial difficulties.
"About 40 schools are closed, and more may close. By the time I finish my speech, another may have closed. It is true. By tonight, about ten or so may have closed," he claimed.
He described the situation as the worst education crisis he has witnessed, saying schools require direct and timely funding to function effectively.
"We have never had the kind of crisis in the education sector that we are experiencing now. Schools cannot run on goodwill; they need funding. Money must go directly to schools so that principals can manage them properly," he said.
Matiang'i argued that the challenges facing schools point to broader structural problems in the management and financing of education.
He also called for reforms in the implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), proposing the creation of a dedicated office to oversee curriculum transition and reforms.
"I would advise the President to appoint a Principal Secretary in charge of curriculum reform and transition because this is a specialised function we are now implementing under CBC," he said.
His remarks come at a time when several schools have reportedly sent learners home earlier than scheduled following incidents of unrest and growing operational pressures.
Matiang'i maintained that effective leadership requires confronting challenges facing citizens and ensuring critical sectors such as education receive the support needed to function properly.
