In a major blow to ICT Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo, the High Court has temporarily stopped the swearing-in of Maina Muiruri as the Chairman of the Media Council of Kenya (MCK), along with three other board members.
The court order, issued on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, also affects Susan Karago, Timothy Wanyonyi Chetambe, and Tabitha Mutemi.
Justice Bahati Mwamuye, while issuing the conservatory orders, ruled that the four individuals should not assume office or perform any duties until a petition challenging their appointments is fully heard and determined.
This move effectively halts their reappointment, which had been officially announced in a Gazette Notice released by Kabogo on July 25, 2025.
“Until the court hears and rules on the application filed on August 4, 2025, a conservatory order is hereby granted, restraining the 2nd to 5th Interested Parties—namely Joseph Maina Muiruri, Susan Karago, Timothy Wanyonyi Chetambe, and Tabitha Mutemi—from being sworn in, taking an oath or affirmation, or discharging any functions as Chairperson or Board Members of the Media Council of Kenya,” read part of the ruling by Justice Mwamuye.
The court’s intervention follows a legal challenge filed by three petitioners who claim that Kabogo acted unlawfully by making the appointments before a legally mandated selection panel had completed its work.
According to the petition, all four individuals were still undergoing vetting by the panel when Kabogo announced their appointments.
Justice Mwamuye also suspended the implementation of the Gazette Notice, meaning that any further steps to formalize the appointments are now on hold.
Kabogo’s notice had given Muiruri and the other three appointees a new three-year term at the helm of the Media Council.
The petitioners, through their lawyer Peter Wanyama, strongly argued that the Cabinet Secretary had no legal authority to bypass the selection process.
They insisted that the Media Council Act clearly outlines that a panel must first complete its evaluations and make recommendations before any appointment can be made.
“The Cabinet Secretary jumped the gun by appointing individuals who were still being considered by the selection panel. This action blatantly goes against the Media Council Act and undermines the process,” their lawyer stated.
They also warned that Kabogo’s move could set a harmful precedent where political leaders ignore due process, turning an independent institution like the Media Council into a politically controlled entity.
This, the petitioners added, threatens the freedom of the press as protected under Article 34 of Kenya’s Constitution.
Maina Muiruri, whose appointment has now been put on hold, previously served as MCK Chairman from 2021, completing a full term. He is a seasoned journalist and a respected figure in Kenya’s media industry.
Over the years, Muiruri rose through the editorial ranks at the Standard Media Group PLC, one of the country’s most prominent media companies.
He also played a key role in establishing the People Daily, where he served as the founding Managing Editor, helping shape the paper’s editorial direction during its early days.
As the court case continues, this latest development marks a significant legal and political setback for William Kabogo and puts the spotlight on the importance of transparent and legal procedures in public appointments.
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