President Uhuru Kenyatta has appointed DR John Onsati to take over from Prof George Magoha as the new chairman of the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC).
Onsati is a senior consultant in organizational development and transformation (ODT); and Education & Training who has previously worked with the former chair who was elevated to be the Education Cabinet Secretary.
KNEC on Saturday afternoon congratulated Dr Onsati on his appointment to the council.
"Thanks to His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta for appointing Dr John Onsati, as the new Exams Council chairman after the elevation of Prof George Magoha to be the Ministry of Education Cabinet Secretary. The two had worked together at KNEC board for three years. Congrats Dr Onsati," the council's message read.
Dr Onsati holds a Doctorate degree in Organizational Development and Transformation from Cebu Doctor’s University, Philippines (2011), and a Master of Science (MSc) from Victoria University of Manchester, UK (1989).
According to his profile at KNEC, Dr Onsati, 66, started his education at Kioge D.O.K Primary school before joining Mawego Technical Secondary School where he sat for Kenya Junior Secondary Education (KJSE) examination in 1970.
He later joined the Technical University of Mombasa for a two-year Pre-Technician course graduating in 1972 and later advanced his studies; graduating with an Ordinary Diploma in 1976 and a Higher Diploma in 1984 at TUM.
He was first employed at Sigalagala Technical Secondary School in 1977 before moving to The Kenya Polytechnic (now Technical University of Kenya) in 1985 as an assistant lecturer.
In the early 90s, Onsoti worked under the office of the president where he served as a defense forces' trainer under the Kenya Armed Forces Technical College.
He was then promoted to work as a senior technical training officer at the ministry of higher learning deployed as the provincial technical training officer. In this role, Onsoti was in-charge of technical training institutions in the entire Nairobi province up to 2000.
He retired after serving as senior principal at Nyeri Technical Training Institute before joining the council board.