Wangusi’s tenure at CA enters sunset days
What you need to know:
- The successful applicant will be the first director-general to head the organisation under the Kenya Information and Communications Act, which became law in 2013.
- Mr Wangusi has served in the position over the past three years since his appointment on August 21, 2013, and is eligible for another term.
- Mr Wangusi was accused of denying Kenyans their right to information by shutting down three leading television stations – NTV, KTN and Citizen TV- which were fighting for more time to acquire and distribute their digital broadcasting equipment.
The Communications Authority of Kenya board is seeking a new director- general as Mr Francis Wangusi’s term nears the end.
Mr Wangusi’s tenure at the helm of the regulator comes to a close in August, opening the position for intense lobbying.
The successful applicant will be the first director-general to head the organisation under the Kenya Information and Communications Act, which became law in 2013.
The appointment will complete an overhaul of the regulatory body under the new sector law which has seen the board reconstituted and the organisation rebranded from Communications Commission of Kenya to its current identity.
“The authority is seeking to recruit a highly competent, proactive and self-driven individual to fill the position of the director general. The director general shall be the chief executive officer and secretary to the board of the authority and shall bear the responsibility for the day to day management of the authority,” the advert said.
Under the new law, a director-general shall hold office for a longer term of four years compared to the current three years.
ANOTHER TERM
Mr Wangusi has served in the position over the past three years since his appointment on August 21, 2013, and is eligible for another term. The board has however sent him on leave pending the hiring.
His stay has not been a smooth ride, having brushed shoulders both with the government and the private sector.
His confirmation as the new director-general in 2013 was in the midst of a heated industry fight over whether or not to resume the mobile termination rates glide path that had been suspended by former president Kibaki.
The debate had sharply divided the industry as well as drawn the attention of key political figures in the country.
But his most recent fight has been on the digital migration debate which spilled into the corridors of justice. Mr Wangusi was accused of denying Kenyans their right to information by shutting down three leading television stations – NTV, KTN and Citizen TV- which were fighting for more time to acquire and distribute their digital broadcasting equipment.
It will be a complete makeover for the communications regulator which is already undergoing a major restructuring in its senior management. The authority looking to recruit 15 senior managers, although the move has been challenge in court.
However, yesterday, Employment and Labour Relations Court Judge Helen Wasilwa stopped the regulator from proceeding with the recruitment until May 4 when the case will be heard.
The orders had been issued in an urgent application filed by Mr Juma Kiprono Kandie (director, human resource and administration) and Mr Christopher Kemei (director, licensing compliance and standards), against CA’s decision to advertise their positions.
The latest directive covers even those who have not yet challenged the authority but also face imminent job loss. The previous orders had covered only the two petitioners.
“The process of filing up positions of CA directors who are not party to this suit is hereby stopped. The parties will be highlighting their submissions on May 4. Interim orders and status quo extended till then,” Judge Wasilwa said.
Additional reporting by Abiud Ochieng
