The appointment of the chairman of the Kitui County Public Service Board is in doubt after an assembly committee rejected the nominee.
Governor Charity Ngilu nominated Francis Kiliku, a former principal of the Kenya Medical Training College, Kitui campus.
But the county assembly Committee on Appointments, led by Speaker George Ndotto, rejected his nomination.
“The Committee by majority decision recommends that the County Assembly of Kitui rejects the nomination and subsequent appointment of Francis Muinde Kiliku as the chairperson of the Kitui County Public Service Board,” reads the report.
Kiliku told the vetting panel that he does not hold an undergraduate degree but was allowed to pursue a master's at Kenyatta University because of his experience in laboratory science. He graduated in 2007.
The assembly noted that he did not provide any documentation to prove the alleged exemption.
The nominee said he undertook a management course at Kenya Institute of Administration that entailed human resource management.
But he failed to avail the certificate despite claiming to have been issued with one.
The nominee promised to address overstaffing and contain the wage bill at the county.
Kiliku said he will ensure that staff needs assessment is conducted for each department to determine staffing and performance levels.
The majority of the team members ruled that Kiliku does not possess the minimum academic qualifications — a bachelor's degree — and that a higher diploma cannot be equated to a degree.
They also held that he does not have 10 years of relevant work experience as envisaged by virtue of being a medic and did not demonstrate relevant human resource training.
The committee also rejected Joseph Kyavoa and David Munyao whom Ngilu had picked as members of the committee.
The team said Kyavoa, a former Bishop with the New Apostolic Church did not demonstrate the relevant work experience and training for the position he sought.
Munyao is a former teacher in Mutomo subcounty and a Knut official in the area.
However, the committee approved Jane Kibati, Esther Kasyoka and Benard Munyasya for hiring.
The decision leaves the CPSB with only three members out of six.
The assembly will debate the report for further and pass or reject it.
(edited by o. owino)
