Editor's Review

CS Owalo has suspended KBC acting Managing Director Samuel Maina with immediate effect.

Information and Communication Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo has suspended Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) acting Managing Director Samuel Maina with immediate effect.

In a letter, the ICT CS accused Samuel Maina of paying USD 5 billion in the London Court of International Arbitration matter Channel Group 2 Corporation without seeking approval from the Treasury and his Ministry.

CS Owalo indicated that the MD disregarded the instructions given regarding the matter and proceeded to make the payment.

"Following a letter (Ref: KC/MD/5/42/C) dated 18th December 2023 through which the acting Managing Director has committed the government of the Republic of Kenya to pay USD 5 billion in LCIA Arbitration No. 1222233: Channel 2 Group Corporation Versus Kenya Broadcasting Corporation without seeking the concurrence of the Ministry of National Treasury and the Office of the Attorney General and Department of Justice in total disregard of earlier instructions given to the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation," the letter read in part.

"Samuel Miana should proceed on suspension immediately and disciplinary action instituted against him by the Board," Owalo directed.

File photo of ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo. PHOTO | COURTESY

Following his suspension, CS Owalo appointed Paul Macharia, currently the Communication Economic Expert at the National Communications Secretariat as the acting Managing Director.

Macharia will serve in that position for six months.