ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo has implemented significant changes within the Board of Directors at the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) by revoking certain appointments.
In a Gazette notice dated Friday, July 14, Owalo appointed James Maathai to be a member of the board for three years, effective on his appointment date.
He also revoked the appointment of Alex Matere and John King'ori Wahome, all appointed during the tenure of former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
King'ori was among Uhuru's last appointees before handing over power to President William Ruto.
On the other hand, Matere, Henry Mbote, Robert Ochieng Ocholla, and Hassan Osman were appointed by former ICT CS Joe Mucheru.
While taking over the ministry, CS Owalo vowed to revamp the national broadcaster to ensure it regained its former glory and guarantee revenue.
In November 2022, Owalo called upon the corporation to mainstream sustainable people based-development production.
"Development broadcasting is a service to the nation, it is one of the ways to turn around this corporation and lift it from the present heavy debt," Owalo remarked.
"It is ironic that KBC with its strong brand and wide network of infrastructure is today punching below its weight. We can leverage ICT to re-engineer the content of KBC so that it gets effective positioning in the market," the CS added.
He also promised to equip KBC with modernised equipment and revert its name to Voice of Kenya (VOK). KBC was also tasked to retain its staff, who are always poached by other media houses offering better salaries and terms of service.
"We have been having a problem of KBC being a training ground then journalists leave to pursue greener pastures. We want to make it the greener pasture in itself," he added.
Meanwhile, on Friday, July 14 Energy CS Davis Chirchir also revoked the appointment of Eva Sawe, Samuel Mugo Kimani, and John Karamunya Limakamar as members of the Board of Directors of the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC).
