Court upholds Mercy Wanjau’s appointment at CA

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), has recalled the appointment of Mercy Wanjau as the interim director general to replace Francis Wangusi,   following the high court’s decision to uphold the decision.

In a ruling that derived from Wangusi’s contestation in court following Wanjau’s appointment at the helm of the authority’s office, the court stayed Wanjau’s appointment pending a mention of the case that was lodged by Consumers Federation of Kenya (COFEK) soon after the incoming director general was appointed.

In a statement, Ngene Gituku, CA chairman, Ngene Gituku, asserted that Wanjau will continue to regulate and coordinate the duties that are expected of the Director General’s office, in her absolute capacity, pending the appointment of a full time Director General.

“The recruitment process will remain on hold as directed by the Court. Meanwhile, with the lapse of the term of the immediate former Director General on 21^st August 2019. Wanjau will continue to discharge services of the director general on interim basis.”

Being a fundamental and strategic government parastatal mandated to regulate the ICT industry, license telecommunications operators, courier and postal services as well as broadcasting services, the authority also managed the country’s frequencies allocated by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

Wangusi, despite completing his two-term on 21^st August, 2019- translating to eight years as the authority’s Director General is adamant to handover to Wanjau, terming her appointment “illegal”.

Wanjau, holding a law degree from the University of Nairobi, paired with master’s degrees from the University of Cape Town and Strathmore Business School has prior her appointment served as a consultant with Pricewaterhousecoopers (PwC) and KPMG South Africa. She has also worked for the ITU.