Acting CCK boss Francis Wangusi/COURTESY
NAIROBI, Kenya Aug 12 – The Communications Commission of Kenya Board has appointed Francis Wangusi as the acting Director General of the regulatory body.
This follows an order issued by the High Court on Wednesday nullifying Charles Njoroge’s re-appointment as Director General.
In a statement, CCK Board Chairman Phillip Okundi said Mr Wangusi will remain in office in an acting capacity until the court matter is concluded.
Mr Njoroge’s appointment took effect on July 7 through a gazette noticed dated July 29.
The appointment was however challenged by the Consumer Federation of Kenya (Cofek) which claimed that the Information Minister ignored the CCK Board’s stand and renewed his contract for three years.
The court order will stay in place pending the hearing and determination of a case filed by Cofek.
The consumer lobby has also accused the minister of sensationalising the matter and claimed that his action was unilateral and unconstitutional as it disregarded provisions that call for competitive recruitment of government officers.
Prior to his elevation, Mr Wangusi was the Director in charge of Special Projects and Broadcasting at the Commission.
He has over 27 years experience in the communications industry and has held other positions at the Commission including Director, Licensing, Compliance and Standards, and head of the Secretariat for the Digital Transition Committee.
Mr Wangusi holds a Masters degree in Space Sciences with specialisation in Satellite Communications from the International Space University, France; and a Charted Engineer Part II Certificate from the Institute of Electronics Engineering from UK.
Commenting on the saga surrounding the CCK Director General on Wednesday, Mr Poghisio failed to rule out internal politics and underhand tactics from players in the telecommunications sector to oust Mr Njoroge saying he would not let the image of the regulatory body to be tainted by such issues.
“I’m not sure I can mention anybody but I know there is a lot of politics involved and everybody has their own interests and when you find these things coming in, something has to give,” he said in reference to the court’s decision.
Troubles for Mr Njoroge began when businessman Ibrahim Athumani argued that the minister had ignored the board and succeeded in having the High Court temporarily stop the gazettement.
After the eventual gazettement, Cofek moved to court and successfully got the appointment nullified.
In line with the CCK’s recruitment process, in the event the Board does not recommend renewal of the contract and to ensure a smooth transition, the CEO is supposed to proceed on terminal leave to pave way for the recruitment and appointment of a new CEO.
Mr Njoroge has worked with the CCK for the last 12 years.
