KAA digs in for battle with House team over Muhoho successor

The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) board insists its recruitment process is above board and will not be repeated, setting the stage for a collision with MPs.

The board said on Wednesday the three short-listed candidates for the position of managing director were selected fairly, differing with the Parliamentary Committee on Trade and Transport, which has rejected the exercise.

“The board followed due process in the recruitment of the managing director and the three short-listed candidates were the most suitable for the position”, said Martin Wambora, the board chairman.

“The three candidates we have forwarded to the Ministry of Transport are our preferred selection and it’s now upon the appointing authority to proceed and select one of them to take over from the outgoing managing director.”

Mr Wambora said the Inspectorate of State Corporations has no objection to the recruitment process hence it cannot be repeated unless ordered by the executive.

However, what is not clear is when the appointment is expected to be effected as the parent ministry has no substantive minister after Ali Chirao Mwakwere lost his Matuga parliamentary seat.

In the past President Kibaki appointed acting ministers to oversee ministries left vacant, but to date no such appointment has been made.

On leave

Constitutionally, assistant ministers cannot assume the executive function of ministers.

The ministry has two assistant ministers, Cecily Mbarire and Haron Mwau.

Even as the recruitment saga draws on, MD George Muhoho is set to proceed on leave from next week pending his retirement in April.

He has served the one year contract extension he received after serving for three years.

Confusion is likely to creep in as the board has not indicated who will take over from Mr Muhoho.

“We will be making an announcement on who takes over from the outgoing MD as we await a substantive appointment from the executive,” said Mr Wambora, giving indications that current deputy MD, Mathew Wamalwa, was unlikely to take over.

Mr Wamalwa has in the past taken charge in the absence of Mr Muhoho.