Quote Originally Posted by Flying Mullet
Also, if you think about it, Kefka never demonstrates much fighting aptitude until after the three statues are discovered. They say in the game that Kefka's mind snapped one day and hasn't been right since. It could be that the Emperor didn't want him to learn anything battle related because of his unbalanced state in hopes to keep in under control.
Actually he shows his fighting skill before that in that one town you get Strago. He attacks and fights off the espers and kills leo.