Prime
Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi on Thursday, July 31, in Nairobi, with
over 70 leaders from Knut and Kessha/HANDOUT
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has assured teachers of the government’s commitment to regularly assess and uplift education standards across the country.
Speaking after a meeting with more than 70 teachers’ representatives from Kakamega North, Malava Constituency, Mudavadi said the government will prioritise strategic dialogue with educators.
The meeting, held in Nairobi, brought together leaders from the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA).
“This is going to be strategic, focused, symbolic and significant,” said Mudavadi. “We are aiming at improving the welfare of teachers and the quality of learning for our children.”
He described the session as the first of many, signalling a renewed partnership with educators in efforts to improve learning environments, particularly in Western Kenya.
Led by KNUT Kakamega North Chairperson Simon Sindani and KESSHA Vice Chairperson Dan Masitsa, the teachers presented a memorandum outlining priority needs in the constituency.
They cited urgent infrastructure upgrades at schools, including construction of laboratories, administration blocks, and ICT centres, as well as timely pension payments for retired teachers.
“Our retired teachers who have exited service on retirement need to live with dignity. It is our considered request for their pension to be paid on time,” the memorandum stated.
The teachers also pushed for the establishment of more institutions of higher learning in Malava.
Sindani said, “We teachers are opinion shapers within communities. Societies largely rely on us for moral direction.”
Masitsa added, “We are ready to rally behind you as our Joseph in the Bible. He saw his brothers and knew them. You have seen us and you know us.”
Mudavadi welcomed the proposals and urged teachers to reflect on the kind of leadership Malava needs as the constituency heads to a by-election. He paid tribute to the late MP Malulu Injendi, calling him a man of honour and unity.
“Malulu was a man of honour. He has set standards and his leadership was solid,” said Mudavadi. “Now, as teachers, since Malulu was also a teacher, it is your duty to give direction because the people believe in you.”
He said the next MP must match Injendi’s commitment to education and community service.
“We want a leadership that will deliver solid results to the people of Malava,” he said. “Ultimately the leader you will choose is a son or daughter of Malava.”
Mudavadi urged the teachers to preach peace during the campaign period and support the Kenya Kwanza government’s development agenda.
“We need to engage intellectually and with sobriety for us to have a good leader,” he said. “Until you elect a new Member of Parliament, I stand as your Patron in Malava.”
The Prime CS was joined by Higher Education PS Beatrice Inyangala, MPs Fred Ikana and Beatrice Adagala, and other government officials and local leaders.
Mudavadi also hinted at broader engagements with other stakeholders in Malava, including youth, women, scholars, farmers and religious leaders, to shape a shared development agenda.