Divisions within government have now emerged following yesterday’s controversial suspension of Communications Authority (CA) Director General Ezra Chiloba by the board.
Principal Secretary in the State Department of Broadcasting and Telecommunications Professor Edward Kisiang’ani has now said Chiloba’s suspension will be probe since his office has learnt about the suspension but is yet to be appraised on the grounds why.
Through an internal memo dated September 18, 2023 and signed by the board chairperson Mary Mungai, she said the board is pleased to announce Chiloba’s ouster.
As a result, Christopher Wambua has been appointed as Acting Director General.
“Following a meeting of the Authority’s Board held on 18th September 2023, resulting in the suspension of the Director General, I am pleased to inform all staff of the appointment of Mr Christopher Wambua as a Director General in Acting Capacity effective today until further notice. I trust that you will accord him the necessary support.” Mungai said.
The suspension comes two years after his appointment to the docket. He took over from Francis Wangusi following his retirement in 2021.
According to the appointment letter, Chiloba was to serve in the position for a renewable period of four years.
Before his appointment as CA’s DG, Chiloba had been sacked as Chief Executive Officer of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission in October 2018.
On his part, Kisiang’ani says that he is privy to the suspension but has not been apprised of details prompting Chiloba’s dismissal and will be engaging the CA board to establish the grounds upon which the decision was made.
He says that the ministry does not micromanage every institution that falls under the communication umbrella hence why he does not know the reasons behind the suspension.
“The ministry does not micromanage the state corporations, they have their own boards, chairmen and other board members who make decisions almost on a daily basis but finally the ministry gets a report.” He said.
“The oversight is done by the board and once they realise that it is a mistake, they take quick decisions which now are communicated to us at the ministry level.” He added.
PS Kisiang’ani spoke during Citizen TV’s Monday report show.
He further stated that upon making engagements with the relevant individuals he will issue a comprehensive statement on the matter.
“I will see the details which forced them to take that decision and I have the authority also to reverse if I think that it is not done in the right way but for now we need guidance from the board to give us the details.” He added.
“There were allegations of irregularities within the mortgage scheme and it is part of the oversight which the board has been working on. There have been investigations going on in that regard but the process had not been concluded.” The PS noted.
The reason behind Chiloba’s suspension was not immediately announced.