Former KAA boss questions MD recruitment process

Former Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) acting Managing Director Yatich Kangugo has raised concerns over the recruitment process for the authority’s new boss.

Mr Kangugo, who came in a distant sixth in the recruitment process scoring 63 percent, argues there had been excessive interference in the process, raising questions over the validity of the outcome.

On Tuesday, the KAA board appointed Norwegian Jonny Andersen as the new MD beating five other candidates who had been shortlisted for the position.

In an interview with a local TV station, Mr Kangugo claimed the interviews were not conducted in the proper manner, challenging the board to re-look the outcome.

“I have actually asked the chairman of the board to re-look into those results because personally myself I was not happy from how the interviews were being conducted,” Mr Kangungo said.

The recruitment process for the KAA MD has on three occasions been canceled with claims of intense lobbying and political interference. Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia finally picked consultancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to recruit afresh.

KAA had in November last year advertised the managing director’s post, receiving more than 120 applicants. The process was however terminated by Mr Macharia.

“This was the fourth time the interviews were being conducted with a lot of interference,” Mr Kangugi charged.

The recruitment drive also took an interesting twist when President Uhuru Kenyatta revoked the appointment of David Kimayo as board chairman replacing him with Julius Karangi. There have also been several board changes in the wake on the exercise.

Joseph Kimote who currently works as the general manager, strategy, research and development at NSSF scored 82 percent while FastJet East Africa General Manager James Kibati, came in third with 74 percent. Other shortlisted candidates included former Kenya Tourism Board MD Muriithi Ndegwa and William Kirwa.

KAA has been without an MD since last year after Lucy Mbugua was fired on corruption allegations. At least 13 senior management positions of the authority remain vacant with those in place in an acting capacity.

The KAA board on Tuesday advertised for seven general manager posts to fill the vacuum.

Reporting by Abalon Babisho

Tags:

James Macharia Kenya Airports Authority PwC Julius Karangi David Kimayo Jonny Adnersen recruitment Yatich Kangugo

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