Fred Matiang’i accused of snubbing key player in board selection panel
What you need to know:
- In an earlier interview, Dr Matiang’i said the recruitment was progressing well and that the board would be in place by the end of this month
- Once the panelists shortlist the candidates, 14 names will be given to Dr Matiang’i who will then name seven candidates
Information Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has been accused of locking out a key player from a panel tasked with selecting members of the Communications Authority of Kenya.
The Information Communication and Technology Association of Kenya (Ictak) has demanded that selection of the authority’s board members be above board and be conducted in the public eye.
The association’s secretary-general, Mr Kamotho Njenga, on Thursday said Dr Matiang’i did not appoint any of its members to the panel despite being requested to do so.
“The Cabinet Secretary locked out the ICT sector, which we represent, from this very important process,” said Mr Njenga.
He said the communications authority was crucial in making decisions affecting the ICT and communications sector.
Mr Njenga also said recruitment of the authority’s board members was “shrouded in mystery” as the public was not involved.
He said the ministry advertised the posts on its website, meaning very few Kenyans would be able to see them. “The ministry should place such adverts in a medium where all Kenyans can see them. The minister should also inform the country how far the recruitment has gone,” said Mr Njenga.
But in an earlier interview, Dr Matiang’i said the recruitment was progressing well and that the board would be in place by the end of this month.
He said the selection panel, chaired by Kenya Private Sector Alliance executive director Carol Kariuki, was made up of various stakeholders including the Law Society of Kenya, the private sector and the media.
Once the panelists shortlist the candidates, 14 names will be given to Dr Matiang’i who will then name seven candidates.
“For the chairman post, the panel will give three names to President Kenyatta to choose from,” said Dr Matiang’i.
The Court of Appeal said in a recent ruling on television digital migration that the current commission was unconstitutional.
The judges said its awarding of licences was illegal because it was not an independent entity.
The Constitution provides for the establishment of a body, which will be independent of control of government, political, or commercial interests.
Dr Matiang’i said the formation of the Communications and Multi-Media Appeals Tribunal has been disputed in court but said the selection of CAK members was being fast tracked adding that he had no vested interest in the process.
