This archive report was first published on 6 August 2019.
On August 6, 2019, the selection panel for the Media Council of Kenya Chairman announced interview dates for seven candidates seeking to replace Charles Kerich, who left the position last year to join Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko's Cabinet.
Among the candidates are three former senior newspaper editors: Prof George Morara Nyabuga, Joseph Maina Muiruri, and Timothy Wanyonyi. Prof Nyabuga is a former Managing Editor at The Standard Group and remains a regular newspaper columnist. Muiruri is a former Managing Editor of The People Daily, while Wanyonyi held senior roles at Nation Media Group, including Head of Content.
The selection panel, chaired by Kenya Union of Journalists Secretary General Erick Oduor, also shortlisted Dr Stanley Mbugua Njoroge, a communication and editing consultant who has previously worked for the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC). Other candidates include Tabitha Muchemi, a former manager of corporate affairs and communications at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), and Andrew Limo, who also worked at IEBC as a public relations officer.
The panel has also shortlisted career banker William Bill Omoding, a member of the Rongo University Council, and Metha Loyd Kaburu, a certified public accountant. Additionally, 38 individuals have been shortlisted for the position of MCK board member.
However, the selection process has not been without controversy. Communication specialist Peter Mutie, a former MCK board member, was initially ranked as the top candidate but was eliminated due to questions over his selection. The Consumers Federation of Kenya (Cofek) accused the panel of hiding behind National Values and the Values and Principles of Public Service while allegedly favoring a candidate.
Responding to these allegations, Oduor stated that the decision to readvertise the position was made on the advice of the Attorney General and was intended to give everyone a fair chance. He emphasized that the panel had not been disbanded and that it was within their powers to restart the process.
