Jubilee MPs make final decision on 'Class 7 drop out' CS nominee

Jubilee lawmakers on Tuesday ignored the education level of Sports and culture CS nominee Rashid Achesa Mohammed and recommended him to serve as a CS.

Reports earlier emerged that the Mr Achesa dropped out of school in class serve, ,according to his CV, and he had failed to convince the vetting panel in parliament last week of his ability to deliver, his education background, notwithstanding.

According to the report by the Committee on Appointments, the former ODM national youth chairman went to Shibale Primary School in Mumias between 1990 to 1997.

The report says the nominee told the committee chaired by National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi that he dropped out of school for lack of fees.

"That though his academic credentials show that he only underwent basic formal education, his professional training and experience in sports and entrepreneurial and resource mobilisation are impressive," the committee says.

The report is set to be discussed in a plenary after which those whose nominations will be approved will be forwarded to the president for appointment.

Achesa's nomination was unveiled by President Uhuru Kenyatta when he announced changes in his administration on January 26.

Snubbed

Reports were rife on Monday this week that the National Assembly Majority leader Aden Duale was rallying for a meeting which would have culminated in the rejection of former Raila Odinga’s confidant.

Mr Achesa made his appearance on Friday last week in a panel led by Speaker Justin Muturi, who chaired the panel of over 12 members.

Mr Achesa was the only nominee to whom questions were posed in Swahili by majority of MPs. Equally, unlike the long and impressive CVs presented by other nominees, notably Keriako Tobiko (Environment) and the Public Service, Youth and Gender’s Margaret Kobia, Achesa presented to the committee nothing more than a few pages that barely explained his education.

In his opening remarks, the nominee narrated the difficulties he faced in his childhood, and in the process missed the chance for good education.

“My father was a charcoal burner while my mother used to sell sweet bananas. I was born in a family of eight and life was very difficult for us,” he said when he was asked by Speaker Justin Muturi to make his introductory remarks.