NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 29 – Information Minister Samuel Poghisio has formally confirmed Charles Njoroge as the Director General of the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) three months after reinstating him to the post.
Mr Njoroge’s appointment was contained in Friday’s gazette notice and took effect on July 7.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 6 (1) (b) of the Kenya Information and Communications Act, the minister for Information and Communication appoints Charles J. K. Njoroge to be Director General of the CCK for a period of three years,” read the notice signed by Mr Poghisio.
The DG’s reappointment has been shrouded in controversy since April this year when the minister reinstated Mr Njoroge after he was sent on compulsory leave by his chairman following an altercation.
The chairman is said to have unilaterally taken the decision without consultation with the members of the board or the minister, in a move which was widely seen as politically motivated.
The board had also hurriedly conducted an appraisal on his performance which showed that Mr Njoroge scored below the 70 percent pass mark and therefore he was not eligible to have his tenure renewed.
On reading malice, Mr Poghisio asked for a second opinion and perusal of the Performance Contract which indicated that the DG’s performance was above board.
Using this as his basis, the minister overturned the chairman’s decision and proceeded to renew Mr Njoroge’s contract.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I wish to state that Charles Njoroge remains in office and that as the appointing authority I will proceed to renew his contract in line with the law,” emphasised Mr Poghisio at the time.
This declaration however kicked off a storm with a businessman moving to court seeking to have this appointment quashed.
Ibrahim Athumani who argued that the Minister had ignored the board, succeeded in having the High Court temporarily stop the gazettement until the case was heard and determined.
However, last week Justice Daniel Musinga dismissed the case paving the way for Mr Njoroge’s re-appointment.
The ruling almost coincided with the end of his tenure on July 21, 2011. Mr Njoroge has worked with the CCK for the last 12 years and will now go ahead with his officials duties until 2014 when his new tenure expires.
