NAIROBI, Kenya, August 1 –The Kenya Correspondents Association (KCA) has voiced concerns over the re-appointment of four former Media Council of Kenya (MCK) board members without following the due process.
This follows a gazette notice signed by the Information, Communications and Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary (CS)William Kabogo on July 25, where he reappointed Joseph Maina Muiruri as MCK’s Chairperson, Susan Karago, Timothy Wanyonyi Chetambe, and Tabitha Mutemi as members.
“The four members will serve on the council for three years starting from July 25, 2025,” the notice reads.
In a press release issued Friday evening, KCA reiterates that a Selection Panel was inaugurated by the former ICT CS Eliud Owalo to select new council members.
“The panel conducted interviews, but its work was halted due to court cases. Now that the court cases have been concluded, KCA believes that the logical step would be for the Ministry to reconvene the panel to complete its work,” read in part the statement signed by the KCA Board Vice Chairperson Irene Nasimiyu.
However, KCA argues that CS Kabogo’s latest action, which was taken without waiting for the conclusion of the selection process: “Is not only illegal, but also mischievous.”
The 28-year-old association, which draws its members across the country, further emphasised that the former Kiambu Governor is required by law to act based on recommendations from the selection panel.
Furthermore, the KCA Board has sternly warned that it will not accept any overtures designed to undermine the selection process as provided for by the Act.
They have also decried and rejected in toto some desperate attempts by some officers within the Media Council Secretariat to lobby and intimidate stakeholders.
“This includes trying to influence the nomination outcomes for the new panel.”
Consequently, KCA will not nominate a representative to the new panel or recognise the re-appointed council members.
To ensure a fair and transparent process, the Araka Matara-led association is urging CS Kabogo to immediately cancel the gazette notice making the appointments and suspend the ongoing process to set up a new selection panel.
“We call on all media industry stakeholders, champions of press freedom and civil societies to join forces aimed at blocking any actions that may undermine the selection process and hold the industry to endless squabbles for sectarian interests,” they concluded.
