Agnes Kalekye Nguna has been appointed as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC).
Announcing the appointment, Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo noted that the appointment, which is effective immediately, will run for three years.
Prior to the appointment, Kalekye was Chief Operating Officer at The Star Publications and she is the incumbent Chair of the Media Owners Association.
“We wish Ms. Nguna well in her new role and the Ministry looks forward to her working closely with the Board of Directors in the revitalisation of the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation as envisaged,” Owalo said in a statement to newsrooms.
KBC had shortlisted eight candidates for the position of managing director. KBC advertised the role on February 13, 2024.
"Pursuant to the provisions of the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation Act Cap 221 Section 5, the Corporation advertised the position of the Managing Director in the print media and on the Corporation's website on 13th February 2024. The applications closed on 5th March 2024," the notice shortlisting the candidates read.
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.
The interviews were conducted on Tuesday, March 26, 2024.
ICT CS Eliud Owalo terminated the appointment of Samuel Maina as acting KBC Managing Director in December 2023.
“I duly appoint Paul Macharia, currently the Communication Economic Expert at the National Communications Secretariat which falls under the mandate of the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy as the acting managing director with effect from December 19, 2023, for six months or upon the appointment of a substantive Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 34 of the Public Service Commission Act, No. 10 of 2017,” Owalo said.
Owalo said Maina allegedly committed the government to pay US$ 5 billion in LICA Arbitration No. 122233: Channel 2 Group Corporation versus Kenya Broadcasting Corporation without seeking concurrence with the ministry, the National Treasury the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Justice.
The dispute dates back to 2009 when KBC abruptly terminated a joint venture agreement with Dubai-based businessman Ajay Sheth, owner of Channel 2 Group.
KBC and Channel 2 formed a joint venture in 2006, where the State broadcaster would provide technical equipment and the latter provide staff, programming content, and resources to the new digital station.
The case, which was under arbitration in London, was flagged by Parliament’s Budget and Appropriations Committee in 2021 as one of the risks to taxpayers.
Maina apologised to Owalo and State Department of Broadcasting and Telecommunication PS Edward Kisiangani before he was sacked.