Attorney General Justin Muturi has advised against appointing people who may cause a potential conflict of interest in Media Council of Kenya (MCK) Board membership.
Muturi said in a letter addressed to ICT cabinet secretary Eliud Owalo and Principal Secretary State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunication Edward Kisiangani that the phrase “has any interest in a corporation” broadens the scope of interest and gives room for the inclusion of any interest that may reasonably fall under this category including employees.
“That having an interest in a media house for whatever reason might cause a potential conflict of interest situation in the functioning of the MCK precludes a person from being Chairman or Member of the Council,” Muturi stated.
Muturi clarified that employees of a media house and the leadership of media enterprises or associations are deemed to have interest; thus, precluded from serving in the council.
“That the selection panel is enjoined to make an independent assessment of the objectivity and impartiality of all persons seeking to be either chairperson or member of the council and where an interest is demonstrated which amounts to a conflict of interest situation in the functioning of the council then the person is not eligible to be considered for membership in the council unless the person ceases to hold such interests,” Muturi said.
The AG added that any public officer in either national or county government is precluded from seeking MCK Board membership.
This is after the court Thursday halted the recruitment of the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) Board after the petitioner cited a “conflict of interest” in interviewing panel and shortlisted candidates many of them from Nation Media Group.
The shortlisted members include Roselyne Oballa and Eric Oduor, who are full-time NMG employees, and Churchill Otieno, who nominated NMG’s Macharia Gaitho to the selection panel.
All the shortlisted candidates are listed as interested parties.
