Kagwe blames Public Service Commission for Dr Amoth’s delayed appointment
The Ministry of Health has blamed the Public Service Commission (PSC) for the delayed appointment of Dr Patrick Amoth as the substantive director-general.
Appearing before the parliamentary committee via a virtual link, alongside Chief Administrative Secretary, Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, Mutahi Kagwe, told senators that PSC has delayed to approve the ministry’s proposed organisational structure and staff establishment to allow it fill the position.
“The ministry has established the position of the director-general in the new structure,” Kagwe told Senate Health Committee.
CS Kagwe said the process of appointing a substantive director general will commence upon receiving the formal communication from the commission on the approved structure and staff established.
On the other side, Mwangangi said the ministry has already established the position in the new structure through a revised organisational structure and staff establishment which has since been submitted to the Public Service Commission for concurrence.
“The process of appointing a substantive office holder will commence immediately upon receiving formal communication from the public service commission on the improved structure and staff establishment,” explained Mwangangi.
The lawmakers had demanded answers on why Amoth has occupied the position in an acting capacity since January 2020. He succeeded Dr John Masasabi, who had been deployed to the position in April 2019.
“When it comes to the issue of the DG, we have been having Dr Amoth serving in acting capacity for long, why can’t he be confirmed? Why has it taken so long?” Narok Senator Ledama Olekina posed.
The senator said the ministry was in breach of Section 18b of the Health Act, which is explicit about the organisation structure of the Ministry of Health.
Kisumu Senator Fred Outa also sought answers on the prolonged delay to appoint a substantive director general.
