ICT Cabinet secretary Joe Mucheru on Wednesday appointed seven members to the board of Communications Authority of Kenya, paving the way for smooth decision-making at the powerful parastatal. In a Gazette notice, Mucheru listed Paul Kukubo, Mugambi Nandi, Levi Obonyo, Christoper Guyo, Patricia Kiama, David Cheruiyot Kiter and Entice Tikolo. Obonyo, who was on the previous board that was disbanded in February, retained his position. Since their dismissal, former directors have been embroiled in a legal battle to challenge the decision made by Mucheru and the CA. Mucheru said he invoked his powers under Section 6B(9) of the Kenya Information and Communications Act 1998 in making the appointments for three years from April 29.
The CS decision follows a determination on April 21 by Justice Abuodha Forum Nelson of the Employment and Labour Relations Court who quashed orders made by Justice Monica Mbaru for reinstatement of the sacked directors. Directors sent home are Wilbert Choge, Kennedy Nyaundi, Grace Munjuri, Hellen Kinoti, Beatrice Opee and Peter Mutie. Choge, who has been the main face behind the court fights, is accused of trying to solicit bribes from Airtel by lying he would assist them to renew their operating license. “We discovered Choge was lying about his mileage allowance," CA director-general Francis Wangusi said in an interview last week.