BY JEFF OTIENO IN KISUMU

After the formation of the Grand Coalition Cabinet a
fortnight ago between President Mwai Kibaki and Prime
Minister Raila Odinga, the quest for plum positions is
in top gear.

Interestingly and surprisingly, those nurturing
ambitions for the said slots in both camps (ODM and
PNU) shouldn’t expect monuments but should exhibit
tolerance and team work for the marriage to survive,
according to documents sneaked to this scribe.

It is imperative to note that key personalities in the
government had got their contracts extensions a year
before the general elections were called in what keen
political pundits have attributed to tactical antics
by the PNU brigades.

At Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Chairman Leonard M.J
Mwangola was appointed in January 4th 2007, his term
is to expire in January 3rd 2010. Commissioner General
Michael Waweru was appointed on March 4th 2006 and his
term is to expire 3rd March 2009. Other members like
Mildred A. Awuor were appointed January 4th 2007 and
expiry of her contract is January 3rd 2010. Another
member Hosea S.K Kepkemoi was appointed on January 4th
2007 and expiry of his term is January 3rd 2010.

Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) Governor Prof. Njuguna
Ndungu was appointed on 4th March 2007 and his
contract expires on 3rd March 2011. His deputy
Jacinta Wanjala Mwatela got her appointment letter
12th may 2005 and her contract expires on 11th May
2008. Members Nicholas Alexander Nesbitt was appointed
on 28th September 2006 and his term expires on 27th
September 2010 while Joseph Kahora was appointed on
28th September 2006 and his contract expires on 27th
September 2010. Other members Agnes Wanjiru was
appointed on 4th January 2007 and term expires on 3rd
January 2010 and finally Wanza Kioko was appointed on
4th January 2007 and the term is expected to expire on
3rd January 2010.

National Aids Control Council (NACC) chairperson Prof.
Miriam K. Were was appointed 3rd March 2006 and her
contract expires on 2nd march 2009. Director Prof.
Alloys S.S Orago was appointed on 11th February 2007
and his term expires on 10th February 2010.

At the Consolidated Bank of Kenya, Chairperson Eunice
W. Kagane was appointed 4th January 2007 and her term
expires on 3rd January 2010. The managing Director
David Ndegwa was appointed on July 1st 2007 and his
term expires on 30th June 2010. Director Cleopa K.
Mailu was appointed on 4th January 2007 and the
contract expires on 3rd January 2010. Alloyce S.B
Ayako another director was appointed on 4th January
2007 and his term expires on January 3rd 2010 and
lastly Director Sellomith L. Bobooti got his
appointment on January 4th 2007 and the contract
expires on January 3rd 2010.

At the financially crippling and corruption plagued
Chemelil Sugar Company, the managing director Prof.
Julius Nyabundi was appointed on 19th june 2006 and
the contract expires a few weeks to come on 18th June
2008. Sources confided to this journalist that
Nyabundi’s chances to get a new contract are dwarf due
to what they term as highhandedness to workers and
arrogance to farmers. The rest of the members have
their contracts extended up to 2009.

Another sugar outfit Sony Sugar Company, industrious
chairman Herbert Ojwang’ was appointed on December 7th
2006 and his contract expires on 6th December 2009.
His other members like Olali Philip, Andrew Oyach and
William Sankal have got their contracts extended up to
2009. The only member Richard Birir Bwogo is the only
one who has ended his term. He was appointed on
November 15th 2004 and his contract expired last year
November 14th 2007.

At the lucrative Kenya Pipeline, pragmatic managing
Director George J. Okungu was appointed in November
2004 and his contract expired in November 2007. But
sources within the government circles confided to this
journalist that Okungu stands to get his contract
renewed due to his unrivaled track record to make the
oil outfit vibrant after taking over from his
predecessor Shem Ochuodho. His member J.M Mathenge was
appointed on March 25th 2006 and his contract expires
on 24th March 2009. Jackson Mwalulu was appointed on
March 25th 2006 and his contract expires on 24th March
2009.

National Oil Corporation of Kenya is the only place
with a vacancy. It will be interesting to see how both
camps will scavenge for one of their own to get the
MDs position same to Pyrethrum Board of Kenya which to
date has no MD.

At the lucrative Kenya Tourist Board (KTB), eloquent
and industrious MD Dr. Ongong’a Achieng’ credited for
transforming the industry which has suffered from
adverse publicity from foreign press was appointed on
6th November 2003 and his contract was extended late
last year until November 2009.

Major General (Rtd) Joseph Kibwana chairman Kenya
Ports Authority was appointed on 10th August 2005 and
his term expires on 10th August 2008. Communications
Commission of Kenya Director General John Waweru was
appointed on 11th May 2005 and his term expires on
12th May 2008.

At the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), president’s
long time ally George Kamau Muhoho was appointed on
March 26th 2006 and his term expires on 25th March
2009.

Pyrethrum Board of Kenya is the only outfit where the
director’s term of office will all expire in 19th June
2008 and this is where both divides are slated to
hoover around in.

ENDS

– – –
Date: Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:58:40 -0700 (PDT)
From: JEFF AGUKO
Subject: JOSTLE FOR TOP PARASTATAL JOBS INTENSIFY