The government has revoked the appointment of former National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) Director General Francis Meja as a member of the Council of Murang’a University of Technology. This decision comes just a year after Meja was appointed to the position.
An official notice dated January 20, 2025, issued by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos, directed Meja to vacate his role effective immediately.
The revocation follows Meja’s recent swearing-in as a member of the Public Service Commission (PSC).
In December 2024, President William Ruto had nominated Meja to join the PSC Board. Subsequently, Meja was officially sworn into his new role on January 20, 2025.
His transition necessitated the termination of his previous appointment as per the provisions of the Universities Act.
In the same Gazette Notice, the government also made new appointments and reappointments to various institutions.
Captain Kungu Muigai, a cousin of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, and Mark Rabudi are among the beneficiaries of the changes announced.
Revocation and Replacement of Appointments
Meja’s appointment to the Council of Murang’a University of Technology had initially been made by the former Education Cabinet Secretary, Ezekiel Machogu. Under this appointment, Meja was to serve a three-year term that would have ended in November 2026.
However, Education CS Julius Migos invoked Section 36(1)(d) of the Universities Act, in conjunction with Section 51(1) of the Interpretation and General Provisions Act, to revoke his tenure prematurely.
In a similar development, Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano announced the appointment of Mark Rabudi as a member of the Council of Kenya Utalii College.
Rabudi will serve in this capacity for three years, effective January 20, 2025, replacing John Odek Odek, whose appointment was rescinded.
Kungu Muigai’s Controversial Reappointment
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who is also acting as the Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture, the Arts, and Heritage, reappointed Captain Kungu Muigai to the Kenya Cultural Centre Council.
The reappointment, effective January 24, 2025, grants Muigai a three-year term in the position.
This marks a dramatic comeback for Muigai, whose initial appointment was recently nullified by the High Court.
The court ruling, issued by Justice Lawrence Mugai, followed a petition by David Njoe Kithunka, who argued that Muigai’s previous appointment by then-Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba was unlawful.
Despite the controversy, Musalia Mudavadi cited Section 3(1) of the Kenya Cultural Centre Act to justify Muigai’s reappointment.
Broader Implications of the Changes
These reshuffles underscore the government’s efforts to align appointments with its current policies and priorities.
While some appointees like Meja transition to higher positions, others like Muigai have been reinstated despite legal battles surrounding their previous roles.
The new appointments have sparked conversations about transparency and fairness in public service appointments, as some decisions have faced legal scrutiny.
However, the government appears determined to move forward with its selected candidates, signaling a focus on continuity and realignment in public service leadership.
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