KBC Appoints Acting Managing Director After Court Blocked Agnes Kalekye Appointment

The Board of Directors of the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) on Monday, September 23 announced the appointment of Florence Migunde as the new Acting Managing Director.

Migunde was picked to succeed Paul Macharia, whose term as Acting Managing Director ended on Thursday, September 19, 2024.

KBC Board Chairperson Tom Mshindi confirmed the appointment, stating that Migunde, who had beforehand served as the state-owned media house's Marketing Manager, will lead until a substantive Managing Director assumes office.

“On behalf of the Board, join me in congratulating the Ag. Managing Director, Ms. Florence Migunde for the appointment as we wish her the very best in the new role,” Mshindi said in a memo.

Florence Migunde who was appointed as KBC's acting MD and CEO on September 23, 2024. /KBC

He also emphasized the importance of support for the Acting Managing Director, urging all staff members to provide her with full cooperation to ensure efficient and effective delivery of services.

Additionally, he expressed the Board’s gratitude to Paul Macharia for his contributions to the Corporation since he took on the role of Acting Managing Director in December 2023.

Migunde's appointment raised questions, given that Agnes Kalekye Nguna was on May 17, 2024, appointed by former ICT Cabinet Secretary (CS) Eliud Owalo to the role of Managing Director.

Viral Tea has observed that the High Court three days after had suspended Kalekye's appointment following a case filed by Magare Gikenyi, a Nakuru-based surgeon, which was certified as urgent. Justice Samwel Mohochi had directed the parties to file their responses within seven days of being served, as the case was set for mention on June 11, 2024.

Kalekye's appointment was suspended alongside three other individuals who were appointed to serve in various government organizations. Gikenyi had argued that the appointments were made in consultation with the head of the public service, Felix Koskei, while the law envisages that the President make such appointments.

“That a conservatory order is hereby issued suspending the press release, gazette notice and or any other document or authority appointing the 20th, 22nd and 24th respondents as chief executive officer or managing directors of the 21st, 23rd and 25th state corporations, respectively,” the judge ruled.

The decision of the case is still pending in court, awaiting a conclusion. Migunde will thus serve as acting MD as the case is being determined.

Before the court action, Kalekye was appointed to serve as MD for three years. Before this appointment, she was the Chief Operating Officer at The Star Publications and the Chairperson of the Media Owners Association (MOA).

Kalekye’s appointment followed a competitive recruitment process in March 2024 in which eight candidates were interviewed. The shortlisted candidates included Abraham Muthogo Kamau from Nairobi, Tabitha Mutemi, OGW from Kitui, Christopher S. Khisa (PhD) from Bungoma and Peter Njigua from Vihiga.

Others were Jason K. Nyantino from Kisii, Peter O. Opondo from Kakamega and Sogoti James from Baringo.

It is worth noting that KBC until now has not had a substantive Managing Director (MD) since the departure of Naim Bilal.