Ex-Kameme TV's Njogu wa Njoroge Lands Govt Job In New Changes

Former Kameme TV journalist John Njogu Njoroge alias Njogu Wa Njoroge is the new chairperson of the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB).

The journalist was appointed through a Gazette notice dated February 20 by Sports Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ababu Namwamba and will head a seven-member board for three years effective February 24, 2023.

Other members of the board include John Muigai Nyururu, Hariety Namwezi Zitah, Stephanie Kamene Maseki, Kipruto Kiptoo, John Osimbo, Grace Mwendwa Munjuri, and Raphael Ekadeli Loperito.

Kameme FM presenter Njogu wa Njoroge. /FILE

"In exercise of the powers conferred by section 11A (e) of the Film and Stage Plays Act, as read together with section 51 (1) of the Interpretation and General Provisions Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Sports and the Arts appoint the aforementioned," read part of the notice, which also revoked the previous appointments to KFCB’s board.

As members of the KFCB, the team will regulate the creation, broadcasting, possession, distribution, and exhibition of film and broadcast content. They are meant to ensure that content conforms to Kenya's culture, moral values, and national aspirations as well as to protect children from exposure to inappropriate content.

Njogu wa Njoroge's appointment comes at a time when the KFCB faces a number of challenges and opportunities in regulating the Kenyan film industry.

The board has been chastised for being overly strict and censorious in its classification of films, particularly those dealing with sensitive subjects such as sexuality, religion, and politics, but it has been lauded for encouraging the development of local content and talent through various initiatives such as film festivals, awards, and training programs.

Njogu's 2022 was a turbulent one, having been fired by Kameme TV in January 2022. He received the news of his termination through a phone call from the station's management.

He also sought to vie for the Njoro parliamentary seat in the August 2022 general elections but lost in the nomination during the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party primaries.

He joined Kayu FM 91.0 owned by Rose Kamotho, five months after his MediaMax termination, adding to his accolades in working for the likes of Kenya Broadcasting Corporation - KBC, Inooro FM and Gukena FM.

Other Board Appointments

In the energy sector, Davis Chirchir, the Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum, appointed new board members for the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) and the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO).

Chirchir appointed Mark Nderitu Muturi, Milton Luchiri, Sammy Choge, and Peter Kenneth Kimani as members of REREC’s board of directors for a period of three years from February 24, 2023. He also revoked the appointments of Brig. Hassan Sora, Rhoda Njuguna, Wahome Gitonga, and Mary Mwiti from REREC’s board.

He further appointed Jane Gatwiri Gatobu, Michael Maloba, Ashif Kassam, and Mercylinne Chepkirui as members of KETRACO’s board of directors for a period of three years from February 24, 2023. He also revoked Gazette Notice No. 4485 of 2022 which had appointed other members to KETRACO’s board.

In the ICT sector, Eliud Owalo, the Cabinet Secretary for Information Communication Technology (ICT), appointed new board members for the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), a state corporation that regulates the communications sector in Kenya.

Owalo appointed Bhoke Christine Nchama, Esther Njoki Njoroge, Mgeni Mboto Hassan, Joel Nyambane Okengo, Eric Langat, Alex Wafula Wamalwa, and Nicholas Kamuya Ng’arua as members of CA’s board for a period of three years from February 24, 2023. He also revoked the appointments of Mahmoud Mohamed Noor, Paul Muraguri Mureithi, Jackson Kiprotich Kemboi, and Laura Chite from CA’s board.

Additionally, Moses Kuria, the Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry, appointed new members to the National Standards Council (NSC), the governing body of the Kenya Bureau of Standards(KEBS), a state corporation that develops and enforces standards for goods and services in Kenya.

Kuria appointed Patricia Okune, Francis Kuria Karu, Grace Nyabonyi Momanyi, Stephen Kipkosgei Yego, and Shallow Abdullahi Yahya as members of NSC for a period of three years.