Economy

President Kenyatta suspends cabinet secretaries, orders PSs to step aside

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President Kenyatta appointed other cabinet secretaries to oversee the dockets of the suspended CSs. PHOTO | FILE

President Uhuru Kenyatta has suspended cabinet secretaries named in a report by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC). He has appointed other cabinet secretaries to oversee the dockets of the suspended CSs as they are investigated.

State House spokesperson Manoah Esipisu said the principal secretaries and other State officers named in the EACC list have also been asked to step aside.

The suspended Cabinet secretaries are Felix Koskei (Agriculture), Davis Chirchir (Energy), Michael Kamau (Transport) and Kazungu Kambi (Labour).

The president appointed Industrialisation CS Adan Mohammed to take over the Agriculture docket while Henry Rotich of National Treasury will be in charge of Energy.

Mr Kambi’s Labour ministry will be headed by Raychell Omamo of Defence while Health CS James Macharia will be in charge of the Transport docket.

Senior Officers

Other senior State officers and Principal Secretaries that have complied with the president's directive to step aside include Secretary to the Cabinet Francis Kimemia, Principal Secretary for Defence Mutea Iringo, Principal Secretary State Department of Transport Nduva Muli, Principal Secretary for Mining Patrick Omutia, Principal Secretary State Department of Water James Teko, Chief of Staff in the Office of the Deputy President Marianne Kittany and the Investment Secretary Treasury Esther Koimett.

Former Director of Immigration Jane Waikenda, who is the deputy head of Mission at the Kenya Embassy in South Africa, has also heeded the directive to step aside.

Parastatals

With regard to state corporations, Mr Esipisu said that the president has instructed affected boards to call urgent meetings in order to appoint acting officers in place of all chief executives and other officers adversely mentioned in the EACC report.

The officers affected by the directive include Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC) chief Patrick Osero, managing director of the Geothermal Development Company Dr Silas Simiyu, managing director of Nzoia Sugar Company Francis Oyatsi, managing trustee National Social Security Fund (NSSF) Richard Langat, acting chief executive of the National Water Conservation and Pipeline Corporation Evans Ngibuini, chief executive of Kentrade Alex Kabuga, the Kenya Airports Authority (KPA) chief Lucy Mbugua, managing director of the Kenya Pipeline Corporation Charles Tonui and chief executive of the Tourism Fund Allan Chenane.

READ: Uhuru tells officers named in EACC report to step aside