Intrigues at the Ministry of ICT saw the Cabinet Secretary Mr Joe Mucheru literally stop one Mr Omondi Orondo as the successful candidate to become CEO of the ICT authority.
Even after receiving names shortlisted by the board on October 18, 2016 Mr Mucheru wrote to ICT Authority board Chairman Mr Edwin Yinda 4 months later on February 9, 2017 raising a curious and potentially an unnecessary inquiry.
Under Ref: MICT /CONF/18/17, Mr Mucheru noted “The Ministry has perused the CV of Mr Omondi Orondo, one of the most suitable candidate submitted for appointment to the post which was forwarded to us on or about the 18th October 2016. We are concerned that in the CV above-mentioned, Mr Orondo, has described himself as as the best overall candidate for the position from interviews which raises the question as to how he obtained information on the same”
Mr Mucheru then adds “The Ministry is apprehensive that this may be an indication of canvassing having occurred during the recruitment which would bring the integrity of the process into question. I am therefore requesting your kind offices to look into this concern and give us your response to enable us deal with this matter as appropriate”
Mr Yinda then responded to Mr Mucheru two weeks later on February 23, 2017 saying “Kindly note that the entire interview process was carried out without any sign of favour to any one candidate and at the full satisfaction of the entire board of ICTA. As to the CV of Mr Orondo, I cannot comment on what he wrote down as as it does not make sense and have totally no bearing on the interview in question.
“Moreover, I can authoritatively declare without fear of contradiction that Mr Omondi Orondo was not the best overall candidate for the position of the interview that was cancelled. Once again I wish to reiterate that there was no canvassing and results given to you by the board was reached purely on basis of merit and nothing else. I hope the above explanation will now enable you proceed with the process”.
Mr Mucheru wrote to Mr Yinda (calling him Chairman of ICTA) even when he was well aware that Mr Yinda’s 3 year contract effective January 10, 2014 had lapsed.
Mr Yinda still replied after his term had lapsed although he never signed as Chairman since he used his personal letterhead.
It is not clear why Mr Mucheru is yet to appoint Mr Omondi Orondo, 4 months later, after Mr Edwin Yinda’s clarification that his query on Mr Orondo suitability lacked merit.
The matter is a subject of Employment and Labour Relations Court petition number 35 of 2017 lodged by Cofek. The matter is before Lady Justice Hellen Wasilwa.
When Cofek sought information, Mr Mucheru declined to respond. Conflicting reports, earlier, had indicated that the Mr Mucheru indicated that the former ICT Authority board agreed with him.
But the correspondences tabled in Court on May 31, 2017 alongside the contradictory affidavit of ICT Principal Secretary Mr Victor Kyalo point to a different direction.
Incidentally, the ICT PS Mr Kyalo is an immediate former CEO of the ICT Authority. As CEO of the agency, he was never subjected to competitive recruitment prompting Cofek to equally challenge his appointment in Court.
The separate interviews were carried out by KPMG and PwC. One was cancelled.
The story was first published by cofek.africa
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