Matiang’i Hits Back at Duale Over CBC Blame, Cites ‘Incompetent’ Implementation

By : Mweru Mbugua 

Jubilee Party Deputy Leader Fred Matiang’i has dismissed claims by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale that he is responsible for the challenges facing the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC), arguing that the real problem lies in what he described as poor management of the education sector by the current administration

In a statement issued after Duale’s remarks during Citizen TV’s JKLive interview on Wednesday night, Matiang’i said the curriculum itself is sound, but its implementation has been mishandled

“The real mess we are witnessing today is not the curriculum itself, but the gross incompetence with which the administration he serves has managed the education sector,” Matiang’i said

He added that key reforms achieved during the rollout of CBC had since been undermined

“Even the flagship 100 per cent transition, a major milestone achieved through deliberate planning and system reforms, has been badly mishandled and effectively undermined under their watch,” he stated

Matiang’i argued that the outcome would have been the same regardless of the education system inherited by the current government, citing what he termed consistent failures in leadership

“Whether they inherited CBC, 8-4-4, or 7-6-3, the outcome would have been the same. Incompetence is the only thing they execute with consistency,” he said

He further referenced recent remarks by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, saying even lawmakers allied to the government have raised concerns about the conduct of senior officials at the Ministry of Education

“In fact, Members of Parliament aligned to government have publicly decried the spectacular incompetence of senior officials at the Ministry of Education who are more preoccupied with self-aggrandisement than with the serious business of running the ministry,” Matiang’i noted

Reiterating his position, the former Education Cabinet Secretary maintained that CBC remains a solid framework whose challenges stem from mismanagement

“There is nothing wrong with the CBC. The present challenge is incompetent and chaotic management of the education sector hopeless implementation of the curriculum,” he said

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Matiang’i also expressed confidence that the United Opposition would overhaul the sector if it wins the 2027 General Election

“But there is hope. We are ready to fix this again. When Kenyans rescue the country from incompetence and poor leadership in 2027, we will restore order, professionalism and results-driven leadership in the education sector, and government as a whole,” he said

Earlier, Duale had blamed Matiang’i for the difficulties facing CBC, accusing him of presiding over a flawed rollout during his tenure as Education Cabinet Secretary

“Fred Matiang’i was the brainchild of this CBC when he was the Minister for Education. He messed up that CBC. We are fixing his mess, and it is now working,” Duale said

The Health CS also defended President William Ruto’s record, arguing that the current administration has achieved more in three years than its predecessors did in a decade

“Some people cannot believe that President Ruto fixed and defined his legacy in three years that some people could not do in 10 years,” Duale added