NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 10 – The government has split the position of State House Comptroller into two and moved Prof Nick Wanjohi to be President Mwai Kibaki’s private secretary.
A statement from the Presidential Press Service said the decision was aimed at enhancing management and efficiency.
"We wish to clarify that the position of Private Secretary/Comptroller of State House has been split," said the brief statement.
The statement did not state when the post of Comptroller of State House would be filled.
"The Comptroller of State House will be responsible for Finance and Administration while the Private Secretary will handle the President’s diary and Presidential programmes," the statement said.
The absence of the former Vice-Chancellor of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology during the Schools National Drama Festival State Concert at State House Nairobi on Thursday fuelled speculation of his alleged exit.
Prof Wanjohi was in private business after his contract as Vice Chancellor ended in March last year. Born in 1945, Wanjohi is a political scientist and holds a Phd in Government from the University of Nairobi.
A close friend and personal political adviser of the President for many years, Prof Wanjohi was the Managing Director of President Kibaki election team in 2002 and played a central role during the 2007 presidential elections.
Prof Wanjohi replaced Hslop Ipu barely a month ago. Ipu who is now a Secretary of Administration at the ministry of Roads opted out of the job early this year.
No official explanation regarding Ipu’s exit was given but sources said he had some differences with some members of the First Family.
Ipu was appointed Private Secretary and Comptroller of State House in January 2004 replacing Matere Keriri who was allegedly forced out of his job by a member of the First Family.
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