The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) board is faced with a difficult decision on whether a colleague who left in August can vie for the vacant Director-General position.
KeNHA board, Chaired by the respected Engineer Wangai Ndirangu is composed of former PS Engineer Carey Orege, former ICPAK Chair Mwatu, LSK representative Brenda Mayabi among other professionals.
The board is concerned that top candidate Francis Gitau is conflicted, having served with them until August.
The KeNHA Strategic Plan borrows its Corporate mantra from Mwongozo, the State Corporation Advisory Council guidelines which outlines the boundaries of conflict of interest.
The same Mwongozo parameter was applied at the Energy and Petroleum Regulation Council to end a similar stalemate.
Among the shortlisted candidates for the DG position are Engineer Sidai(KPA), Acting DG Engineer David Muchilwa, Engineer Charles Obuon(Special Projects) Engineer Rashid(KURA), Engineer James Gatitu(KeNHA Compliance Director), Engineer Francis Gitau(NAMATA DG), Engineer Kung’u(Director Assets), Engineer Aketch(Private Sector).
Investigations have established that Gitau was a board member at KeNHA until the DG position fell vacant.
Gitau is among the directors who invented the intent for the vacant DG position.
There are concerns that three of the candidates lacked a master’s degree at the time the position was advertised in the Daily Nation.
About the KeNHA Board
It consists of representatives from LSK, ICPAK, Surveyors of Kenya, Transporters Association, and representatives of the Ministry of Infrastructure, Finance, Lands and Housing, and OP.
Ndirangu is the third KeNHA Chair, after Engineer Erastus Mwongera and Annah Muriithi.
Engineer Mundinia is the second director General after Engineer Meshack Kidenda.
The authority is rolling out major infrastructure projects and is a key cog in the delivery of President Uhuru Kenyatta legacy.
