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Tag: PSs vetting

  • Conflict of interest? MPs grill PS nominee for Broadcasting over GOtv shares

    Conflict of interest? MPs grill PS nominee for Broadcasting over GOtv shares

    Broadcasting and Telecommunications Principal Secretary (PS) nominee Stephen Isaboke on Friday faced tough questions from MPs over his shareholding in GOtv Kenya, a subsidiary of MultiChoice, and his links to a radio station owned by his nephew.

    Appearing before the National Assembly’s Committee on Communication, Information and Innovation, chaired by Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie, Isaboke was pressed to explain how he acquired a 30 percent stake in GOtv Kenya for Ksh5.2 million and whether his interest in the company would compromise his ability to oversee the broadcasting sector.

    Isaboke, who has served as a director at GOtv since 2011, said he bought the shares after the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), which had been in talks with MultiChoice over a potential partnership, declined to pursue the deal.

    He told the committee that GOtv was fully funded by MultiChoice Africa and that KBC had no financial stake in the company.

    “MultiChoice Africa had proposed a partnership with KBC, and discussions went on for over 10 years. However, for various reasons, KBC declined to take up the partnership. Currently, there is no active relationship between KBC and GOtv, except in terms of infrastructure sites,” he said.

    Keiyo South MP Gideon Kimaiyo also sought clarity on a loan issued to GOtv by MultiChoice Africa.

    Isaboke admitted the company had received an intercompany loan to support its operations but said he could not recall the exact amount.

    “It’s normal for a parent company to fund a subsidiary. I’m not aware of any deal where part of the loan was to be paid by GOtv and part by KBC,” he said.

    Lawmakers further questioned Isaboke’s failure to disclose his involvement with Inka FM, a radio station owned by his nephew.

    He admitted to helping his nephew set up the station but maintained he had no role in its day-to-day operations.

    “The station is fully owned and run by my nephew but I am not part of its operations,” he told the committee.

  • MPs begin vetting Ruto’s PS nominees as approval hearings kick off

    MPs begin vetting Ruto’s PS nominees as approval hearings kick off

    MPs are set to commence the vetting of President William Ruto’s nominees for Principal Secretary (PS) positions today, April 4, 2025.

    The approval hearings, overseen by departmental committees, are scheduled to run until Monday, April 7, as lawmakers scrutinise the nominees’ qualifications and suitability for office.

    Among those appearing before the committees today is Aden Abdi, the nominee for Principal Secretary in the State Department for Shipping and Maritime Affairs. He will appear before the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure from 10:00AM.

    Stephen Isaboke, nominated for Principal Secretary in the State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications, will also face the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Communication, Information, and Innovation at 9:30AM.

    Meanwhile, the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Regional Development will grill Michael Lenasalon, nominated for the State Department for Devolution, in a session scheduled for 10:00AM.

    Dr. Oluga Ouma, the nominee for Medical Services, will appear before the Committee on Health at 10:00AM, while Ahmed Ibrahim, nominated for National Government Coordination, will face the Committee on Administration and Internal Security at the same time.

    Prof. Abdulrazak Shaukat, nominated for Science, Research, and Innovation, will appear before the Committee on Education at 10:00AM, while Jane Imbunya, Ruto’s pick for Public Service and Human Capital Development, will face the Labour Committee at 10:00AM.

    Cyrell Wagunda, nominated for the State Department for Public Investments and Assets Management, will be vetted by the Committee on Finance and National Planning at 10:00AM, while Boniface Makokha, nominee for Economic Planning, is scheduled to appear before the same committee at 12:00PM.

    Fikirini Jacobs, nominated for the State Department for Youth Affairs, and Regina Ombam, nominated for the Trade docket, are also scheduled to appear before their respective committees.