Kenyans React as Deceased Former MP is Reappointed to Gov’t Job

ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru is under fire from Kenyans online for allegedly reappointing a deceased man to Kenya Films Classification Board (KFCB).

In a gazette notice dated October 17th, CS Mucheru reappointed Robert Kochalle to serve in the KFCB board for three more years effective October 21st.

Mr. Kochalle however passed away on May 29th, 2018 while undergoing medication at Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi.

Kenyans took to social media to castigate CS Mucheru, wondering how a man who died more than a year ago was reappointed to serve on the board of directors of KFCB.

@NelsonHavi tweeted: “Well, they have been appointing old men and women. No harm in trying the dead with some of these heavy government responsibilities. After all, Kenya is dead!” 

@ahmednasirlaw wrote: “JUBILEE.. just to show how fair and visionary it is has appointed a dead Kenya to be a board member of a state corporation...take it from me...at this rate, MY BELOVED PARTY JUBILEE will rule Kenya for another 100 years.

@LouizaKabiru noted: “Mucheru was hailed as a superstar when he was appointed CS. Guys must have assumed that he would revolutionize IT. Anyway, at least he revived a dead man, a fete no other CS has achieved.”

@kingmkenya stated: “Wait, so @mucheru  CS for ICT  appointed a man who died on May 28, 2018, 😂😂😂😂So these people are just picking names??? HECK!!!”

KFCB CEO Ezekiel Mutua came to the defense of CS Mucheru, explaining the mistake that led to the reappointment of the deceased.

“Small issue being blown out of proportion. The Board presented the notification to the Ministry for replacement and inadvertently he was reappointed. It was not CS Mucheru’s mistake at all as the conversation started when KFCB was under the Ministry of Sports & Culture,” said Mutua in a tweet.

Kochalle served as MP for Laisamis between 1992 and 1997 and as an assistant minister in the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife.