On April 14, Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha disclosed his past involvement with a gang in Eastlands, Nairobi County, describing his role as deputy commander of a teenage group known as Siweke that terrorized Kayole Estate.
Magoha recounted his early life in the area, stating, "I was one of the tough guys there. I was the deputy commander of a juvenile gang called Sicheki and we used to have skirmishes with other groups at Ololoo and Makongeni." He linked his transformation to a television broadcast of the Starehe Boys Centre music band, which inspired him to pursue education.
The CS detailed how his passion for music led him to study bass guitar under Ochieng' Kabasselleh, a renowned musician, and later secured a place at Starehe Boys High School through former director Geoffrey Griffin. "The institution instilled discipline in me," Magoha said, crediting the school for shaping his career and values.
Magoha emphasized education's role in his success, now serving as a key figure in President Uhuru Kenyatta's cabinet. He advocated for targeted scholarship distribution, stating, "Look for where there is the greatest need. Look for those children who would not have otherwise gone to a boarding school..." during 2021 KCPE Form One selection discussions.
His story aligns with other Nairobi Eastlands figures like Prof PLO Lumumba and Prof Mutahi Ngunyi, who also overcame challenging upbringings to achieve prominence.
