The controversy surrounding the appointment of the Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) Director General has exposed a troubling level of political interference in the hiring process.
At the heart of the issue is Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo, who is allegedly pushing for Kefa Seda’s appointment despite clear evidence that he does not meet the required qualifications.
This situation raises serious concerns about the integrity of government appointments and the extent to which political figures are willing to bend the rules to place their preferred candidates in influential positions.
The process appears to be flawed from the start, with clear evidence of favoritism overshadowing merit-based selection.A key problem is the disregard for experience requirements.
The PPP Director General role is a senior position that requires a candidate with a strong track record and extensive experience at the director level. However, Kefa Seda does not have this experience. His highest position has been Deputy Director, which is below the required rank for the job.
Government regulations specify that only those who have previously served as directors in Job Group T should be considered, yet Seda has been shortlisted despite not meeting this requirement. This raises serious questions about why rules are being ignored in this specific case.
Another issue is the lack of transparency in the selection process. The criteria for shortlisting candidates do not seem to have been followed, and concerns about Seda’s suitability for the role have been ignored.
Reports indicate that internal memos questioning his integrity and professional record were dismissed, suggesting that the selection process was predetermined. If the government is serious about maintaining professionalism and accountability, such concerns should have been investigated rather than ignored.
Instead, the process appears to be manipulated to fit a particular agenda, eroding public confidence in government recruitment procedures.
A lifestyle audit on Kefa Seda is necessary to examine his financial activities and professional conduct. The PPP department is responsible for handling major government projects, making it crucial that its leadership is free from any allegations of misconduct.
A deeper investigation into Seda’s history in the civil service could reveal important details about his management style, accountability, and any previous involvement in irregularities.
Without this scrutiny, there is a risk that someone with a questionable record could be placed in a position of power, leading to further mismanagement in the department.
The influence of PS Chris Kiptoo in pushing for Seda’s appointment also raises concerns about political interference. If Kiptoo has personal or professional ties to Seda, this creates a serious conflict of interest.
Government appointments should be based on qualifications and experience, not personal relationships or political connections. The Public Service Commission (PSC) must explain why it allowed a candidate with obvious disqualifications to proceed in the selection process.
If Kiptoo has played a role in manipulating the outcome, he must be held accountable.Seda’s previous involvement in Public-Private Partnerships at KeNHA also warrants further probe.
Questions have been raised about how these projects were handled and whether there were any conflicts of interest or cases of favoritism. If there are unresolved concerns about Seda’s role in past PPP dealings, appointing him to an even more powerful position could create further opportunities for corruption and mismanagement.
It is important that his track record is thoroughly examined before he is entrusted with greater responsibility.
To maintain public trust in government appointments, the recruitment process for the PPP Director General position must be fair and transparent. Political interference should not be allowed to override merit-based selection, and those responsible for manipulating the process must be held accountable.
If Kiptoo has been involved in influencing the outcome, he should step aside from any further involvement in the appointment.
The Public Service Commission must ensure that the best-qualified candidate is selected, rather than allowing political considerations to take precedence.
Kenya cannot afford to have unqualified individuals occupying key government positions simply because of their connections. The appointment process must be reviewed to ensure that it is free from manipulation and favoritism. A thorough investigation should be conducted to determine how Kefa Seda was shortlisted despite his disqualifications.
If these issues are not addressed, it will set a dangerous precedent and further erode trust in public institutions. The PPP Director General position is too critical to be compromised by political interference, and the government must act decisively to restore integrity to the selection process.
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