Samuel Maina: CS Eliud Owalo Fires Acting KBC Managing Director Following KSh 770b Case

• Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo sacked acting Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) Managing Director Samuel Maina
• Maina was accused of committing the Kenyan government to pay KSh 770 billion in the Channel 2 Group Corporation Versus KBC case, contravening government instructions
• Communication expert Paul Macharia was appointed as the Acting Managing Director effective from Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi - Information, Communication & Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo has sacked acting Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) Managing Director Samuel Maina.

In a letter dated Tuesday, December 19, the CS terminated Maina's appointment with immediate effect, and he is to go on suspension as he awaits disciplinary action against him.

Owalo accused Maina of arbitrarily committing the Kenyan government to pay KSh 770 billion in the Channel 2 Group Corporation Versus KBC.

The CS explained that Maina's decision contradicted the instructions the government gave KBC in the case.

"Following a letter (Ref: KC/MD/5/42//C) dated 18 December 2023 (enclosed) through which the acting Managing Director has committed the Government of the Republic of Kenya to pay USD 5 Billion in LCIA Arbitration No. 122233: Channel 2 Group Corporation Versus Kenya Broadcasting Corporation without seeking the concurrence of the Ministry, National Treasury and the Office of the Attorney General and Department of Justice in total disregard of earlier instructions given to the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation on the matter," read the statement in part.

Who will take over at KBC?

The CS further announced the appointment of communication expert Paul Macharia in an acting capacity until the appointment of a Chief Executive Officer.

"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 19 December 2023 for a period of six (6) 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," he said.

Owalo tasked the board to expedite the process of recruiting a substantive Managing Director for the corporation.

Former KBC Managing Director Naim Bilal wants Owalo jailed

Separately, Former KBC MD Naim Bilal moved to court to have Owalo jailed.

Bilal moved to the labour court after former ICT CS Joseph Mucheru opted against renewing his contract despite a recommendation by the board.

He accused the CS of disobeying court orders issued on Monday, October 31, 2022, for him to be reinstated in his former position.