Politicians the biggest winners in State jobs

Politicians were the biggest winners when President Kenyatta and various Cabinet Secretaries named 302 officials to the boards of 79 State corporations.

The President and his deputy, Mr William Ruto, appeared to reward political affiliation in the appointments which the spokesman for the presidency said were meant to “reform and transform the parastatal sector”.

By naming the chairpersons and members of the boards, President Kenyatta and Mr Ruto have paved the way for the appointment of the chief executive officers of the State corporations.

In a Gazette Notice published on Monday, President Kenyatta personally signed the appointments while members to the boards were appointed by the respective Cabinet Secretaries.

“In making the appointments, the Administration has tapped into the wisdom, experience and knowledge of our senior citizens, while embracing the energy, enthusiasm and innovation of our young people,” said a statement from State House spokesman Manoah Esipisu.

The appointments rewarded leaders of political parties which worked with the Jubilee Coalition after the 2013 General Election with former Cabinet ministers Musikari Kombo (Ford Kenya leader) and Soita Shitanda (New Ford Kenya leader), Henry Obwocha (Ford People) among those named to key positions.

SUPPORTED JUBILEE

Mr Kombo will chair the Water Services Trust Fund, Mr Obwocha the Privatization Commission and Mr Shitanda the Agricultural Development Corporation boards.
The chairman of the Grand National Union, Mr Mwangi Kinjuri, will chair the Athi Water Services Board. His party also supported Jubilee in the last election.

Other politicians who got jobs were Mr Samuel Poghisio, who will chair the board of the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority and Ms Wavinya Ndeti and Kalembe Ndile who have been appointed as members of the the Water Services Trust Fund and Water Services Regulatory Board respectively.

Another politician, Mr Marsden Madoka, has been appointed to chair the Kenya Ports Authority Board while Mr Omingo Magara has been appointed to the Kenyatta International Convention Centre board. Mr Magara severed his links with Cord leader Raila Odinga to work with Mr Ruto, the URP leader and Deputy President.

The United Republican Party secretary-general, Mr Fred Muteti, has been appointed to the Sports Kenya Board.

Other politicians who got key positions were former MPs Walter Nyambati who will chair the Jomo Kenyatta Foundation board, Mr Andrew Monda (Kenya Accreditation Service), Mr Abdul Bahari (Tana and Athi River Development Authority) and Suleiman Kamolleh (Coast Development Authority).

Another former MP allied to URP, Mr Joseph Lagat has been appointed to the Lake Victoria North Water Services Board while former Eldoret Mayor Joshua Magut who will chair the Bomas of Kenya Board.

Mr Ambrose Weda, a lawyer who worked closely with TNA, the President’s party, was named chairperson of the South Nyanza Sugar Company Board while his colleague, Mr Gershom Otachi, who was a member of the President’s legal team at the International Criminal Court (ICC) was appointed to chair the Geothermal Development Corporation. Another lawyer, Mr Kennedy Ogeto, who represented Mr Kenyatta in the ICC case locally, was named to chair the Anti-Money Laundering Board.

Besides Mr Madoka, other leaders who have been appointed include Mr Taib Ali Taib, who has been named a member of the Kenya Investments Authority and Sheikh Juma Ngao, who will join the board of the National Campaign Against Drugs Authority (Nacada).

The Jubilee leaders also gave jobs to associates and members of prominent families. Mr Stanley Michael Michuki has been appointed to the Oversight Board of the Uwezo Fund while Mr Kibaki’s daughter, Ms Judy Kibaki, becomes a member to the Kenya Investment Authority Board. Mr Daniel Wamahiu will chair the National Oil Corporation of Kenya (NOCK) board while Mrs Margaret Saitoti was appointed as NOCK board member.

DIVERSITY OF ALL PEOPLE

Mr Odinga’s sister, Dr Wenwa Akinyi Odinga, has also been appointed as a member of the Kenya Medical Research Institute board while Mr William ole Ntimama’s daughter, Leah, becomes a member of the Water Services Regulatory Board.

“The appointments reflect the face of Kenya, with all 47 counties represented in honour of the diversity of all people and communities of Kenya,” said Mr Esipisu in his statement.

“They also comply with the constitutional imperatives on the appointment of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities. The Administration is committed to empowering our women, youth and persons with disabilities.”

He said all the appointed individuals will be required to declare their readiness to fight corruption in line with the dictates of Chapter Six of the Constitution.