Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria on Thursday denied ever granting an interview where he confirmed that he had hired former Citizen TV news anchor Jacque Maribe as Head of Communications in his Ministry.
In a post, the Cabinet Secretary, refuted the claims and challenged one of the three main media CEOs in the country to produce evidence justifying quotes that he had indeed sat for such an engagement.
"Contrary to reports by the Nation, I have never been interviewed by the media House nor made any comment nor announcement about Jacque Maribe. I have challenged CEO Stephen Gitagama to provide evidence from one Mwangi Muiruri who wrote the article," read CS Moses Kuria's post.
"I will be at DCI Headquarters at 9.30 am tomorrow to report the media house and the reporter of fraud and forgery," Kuria added.
Despite the viral reports, the CS vowed to support Maribe based on their long-term friendship. According to Kuria, he has been friends with Maribe for 16 years.
"Meanwhile, I stand with Jacque Maribe, my friend for the last 16 years and I will stand with her just like I stood with Gov Kawira Mwangaza in the wake of unjustified bullying," CS Kuria stated.
Earlier in the day, the Public Service Commission (PSC) denied reports from last week suggesting that Maribe had been hired as Head of Communications in the strategic Ministry.
While making the clarification, PSC chairperson Anthony Muchiri noted that no such appointment had been made, nor had the board received a request to employ her.
"For the record, the position will be filled through a competitive recruitment process should a vacancy arise," Muchiri noted.
This comes after reports on Sunday, March 10 indicated that Maribe had been appointed to the role.
However, when the PSC issued the statement on Thursday, March 14, it was not immediately clear what the true position was.
Later in the day, however, images of Maribe accompanying CS Kuria to an official government function surfaced, adding more fuel to the speculation.
The Cabinet Secretary was refuting that he had granted a quote stating, "It is true except that I am not the one who appointed her but the Public Service Commission" in reference to Jacque Maribe's controversial appointment.
Jacque Maribe's controversial appointment came a month after she was acquitted in the murder case of businesswoman Monica Kimani after the court found her not guilty.
Joseph 'Jowie' Irungu, Maribe's former fiancé would later be found guilty of the crime and be handed a death sentence.
