A standoff has emerged within the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) board following claims of interference in the ongoing recruitment of a Director of Public Affairs at the Universal Service Fund (USF), revealing deep divisions among board members and halting a process that insiders say has strayed from established recruitment procedures. A standoff at the Communications Authority of Kenya over the Director of Public Affairs at the Universal Service Fund (USF) recruitment exposes board divisions and disputes over candidate qualifications.
Sources familiar with the process say the recruitment exercise was thrown into disarray after a former senior government official stepped in and exerted influence aimed at securing the advancement of a preferred candidate during the shortlisting stage.
Insiders say the former official has been actively directing how the shortlisting should be handled and who should advance to the interview phase, actions that board members say have weakened confidence in the integrity of the exercise and triggered sharp internal disagreement.
“The most troubling issue is that the candidate being pushed does not meet the minimum qualifications for the job, as her record reflects twelve years of experience rather than the required fifteen,” an official involved in the process said, requesting anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.
“This has resulted in a stalemate within the board, with members unable to agree on how to proceed.”
According to documents seen by this publication, the candidate at the centre of the dispute is Maureen Mwaniki, who currently serves as Director of Public Affairs, Policy and Government Relations at Huawei Kenya.
In her LinkedIn profile , Mwaniki describes herself as a public affairs professional with more than seven years of experience managing partnerships across the public and private sectors, adding that her responsibilities involve leading engagement with government departments and liaising with senior offices within the executive. LinkedIn profile overview of Maureen Mwaniki showing her role as Director of Public Affairs at Huawei Kenya and a summary of her professional background. LinkedIn experience section showing Maureen Mwaniki’s employment history at Huawei, detailing roles in public affairs, policy, and government relations over more than a decade.
The Communications Authority recruitment notice for the Director of Public Affairs at the Universal Service Fund (USF) position outlines strict academic and professional requirements, stating that applicants must hold both a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in Applied and Physical Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, or Business related fields from a recognized institution. Screenshot of the Communications Authority job requirements for the Director of Public Affairs at the Universal Service Fund (USF) position, outlining academic qualifications, leadership training, and minimum work experience.
The notice further states that candidates must demonstrate a minimum of fifteen years of relevant work experience, with five years served in a management or comparable leadership role, alongside completion of a recognised leadership course lasting no less than four weeks.
Other requirements listed in the advertisement include membership to a relevant professional body in good standing, possession of a valid practising licence where applicable, and demonstrated proficiency in computer applications.
Board members opposed to the reported interference argue that adjusting the criteria to accommodate a preferred applicant would weaken internal governance structures and erode confidence in merit-based recruitment, warning that such an outcome would have long term implications for the Authority’s credibility.
With the board divided and no agreement reached on the shortlisting process, the recruitment remains at a standstill, leaving the fate of the Director of Public Affairs at the Universal Service Fund (USF) position uncertain as the Authority grapples with questions around independence, procedure, and institutional integrity.