Prof Kaimenyi says he is proud of his achievements as Cabinet Secretary

Former Cabinet Secretary Prof Jacob Kaimenyi has expressed satisfaction over his performance as a Cabinet Secretary during President Uhuru Kenyatta’s first term in office.

Prof Kaimenyi who has since been appointed Ambassador, and who currently represents Kenya in Belgium, Luxemburg and the European Union, says he made a valuable contribution to the country during his five-year stint in cabinet.

First as a Cabinet Secretary for Education, Kaimenyi who had been picked from the University of Nairobi where he was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic Affairs and Professor of Period-ontology, noted that he initiated far-reaching reforms that have since benefited the sector in a great way.

“When I went in, there was something called Education Act and the Universities Act, but they had not been made operational. I had to operationalize them by coming up with rules and regulations.” He told KBC Channel 1 news anchor Fayaz Quresh in a TV interview.

As CS Education, he further expressed delight that he was able to scrap class repetition in primary schools. He holds the view that this had a negative effect on the performance of young learners.

“Remember those days when pupils were forced to repeat classes especially standard six level. You could find a child crying they don’t want to repeat and we did decide as part of regulations that no child will be forced to repeat. Above standard six, no repetition at all,” he said

“The other thing that was terrible was the issue of examination.  People were taught just to memorise what is called broad learning just to pass the exam. To the extent that children had no time to play over the holidays. That is why I banned tuition during holidays. Unfortunately someone returned it and I can tell you it is not correct.” He added

He says he did this for the reason that children by their very nature need an opportunity to be who they should be.

Soon, he was moved by the President from the ministry of education to the ministry of lands.  Here, he says he learned a lot.  And just like in the ministry of education, Prof Kaimenyi disclosed that he had a lot to deal with in Ardhi House.

“What I found there was National Land Policy. This policy had not been implemented because it lacked laws to operationalize it. We had to come up with a raft of laws. And I am very happy we did that.” He narrated

Chief among them, he says, is the issue of historical land injustices law. He says he is happy that while most of the reports in the land sector, such as the Ndung’u land report had not been implemented due to the sensitivity attached to them, he was able to act on them.

He says it was a great honor for the President to appoint him among the first Cabinet secretaries post 2010 Constitution.

“The first Cabinet Secretaries were supposed to be professionals, not politicians. And there is merit in that because you focus as a professional 100 percent in what you are grounded in and you do it very well.” He said

In 2018, he was appointed an Ambassador and he says it was very exciting to represent Kenya abroad. He, however, noted that being the country’s representative demands that one must be hugely committed and knowledgeable.

“When you become an ambassador its every challenging and this is because, unlike being a minister you have to be very versatile in terms of knowledge.”

“You are answerable about literally everything, about your country on behalf of the President and the people of Kenya. Whether it is ICT matters, land issues, or cultural issues, you are the expert, the reservoir of your nation. You must be able to read issues quickly, be abreast with what is happening back hoe most of the time.” He said

Prof. Kaimenyi says he is proud to have been the first full professor of period-ontology in Kenya and East Africa.

Having served in different capacities so far, he is challenging Kenyans to always embrace opportunities to serve the country without hesitation. On the other hand, he says one should not be busy to an extent they forget the ‘most important responsibility in your life, that of fatherhood and motherhood.’

“Even after you have made so much money, what will make you a happy man or woman is how you relate with your children.”

“I want to advice father who are listening to me, please take time thinking about it very hard, and balance your life. Balancing your life means, being available to your children when it matters.” said Kaimenyi

He has been married for the last 42 years to Stella Gatiriru, and together have five children and six grand children.

“It is my children and my wife who cheer me up. They are my support structure.” he says

Prof Kaimenyi’s life lessons

To men… ‘Do not neglect your duties as a father as you pursue your career.’

To public servants… ‘Do not be tempted by money and lifestyle that is against your values. Diligence and constant service to the community you live in and the public should not come at a personal cost to you and your family.’

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