State House Communications Chief David Mugonyi and a longtime ally of president William Ruto has been appointed the new substantive Director General of the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA).
Mugonyi takes over from Ezra Chiloba who was suspended in September over alleged corruption and later resigned from the position in October this year.
His appointment is contained in a letter by ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo to CA Chairperson Mary Wambui.
“Reference is made to a letter from the Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service conveying approval for the appointment of Mr David Mugonyi as the Director General of the Communications Authority of Kenya.” Owalo said in the letter asking Wambui to formalize Mugonyi’s appointment.
Wambui had written to the Head of Public Service Felix Koskei communicating the Board’s shortlisting of Mugonyi who emerged top following interviews of 15 candidates.
Mugonyi is one of President William Ruto’s trusted allies having headed his communications since he was Deputy President.
He previously worked as the Head of Communications at the National Assembly after moving from the Nation Media Group as a Senior Editor.
Mugonyi was appointed to replace Chiloba who resigned in October this year, having been appointed in October 2021.
Mugonyi emerged as the best candidate after interviews were conducted by the CAK board of directors.
The interviews are reported to have happened between last year November 30th and this year April 3rd.
Before his appointment to CA, Mugonyi had been serving as the head of the presidential communication service.
The position became vacant after the former managing director Chiloba who had been suspended resigned on October 19, 2023.
Chiloba was suspended from CAK after an internal audit revealed he was financial impropriety.
The audit revealed that Chiloba and other nine top officials allegedly mishandled mortgages and allowances which ran into millions.
He faced allegations of applying for and self-approving a mortgage loan without adhering to due process, to facilitate a property sale.
However, Chiloba refuted any wrongdoing and wrote a letter to the CA board, calling for his reinstatement.
He argued that he was not granted a hearing before disciplinary action was instituted against him.
Christopher Wambua took over as the Acting MD and CEO on September 18, 2023, after the suspension of Chiloba.
