Communications Authority of Kenya seeks new managers

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) has invited applications for top managerial positions in a move that could see the current occupants of those offices axed.

Last Friday, the recently reconstituted CAK board made a surprise move by advertising 11 Chief Manager positions, causing a strong jolt among the current job holders.

According to the new organisational structure adopted by the board, the current offices of directors have been renamed chief managers, with all the 11 positions up for grabs.

"The directors had expected that the positions would be announced internally so they would have first priority. It appears that the board is keen to bring new people into those crucial positions," said a source at CAK who sought anonymity.

CAK Director General Francis Wangusi said the board was in the process of reorganising the institution to increase efficiency and discharge its mandate better.

He said the current directors, whose jobs had been advertised, had an opportunity to apply for the positions and if they emerged the best, they would be appointed.

Most suitable

"The board demanded that a competitive process should be put in place to fill those positions. Those who emerge the most suitable depending on their skills, experience and qualifications will be appointed," he said.

"We hope our current staff will make it back, but if they don't we will arrange some favourable exit packages that will include those who may want to retire," he added.

Mr Wangusi said CAK was being reorganised to meet the increasing challenges in the complex regulatory environment and the board wanted to give all qualified Kenyans the chance to apply for the jobs to ensure the authority got the best personnel.

"We understand there are concerns and worries among some of our staff but we are in the process of engaging them constructively to ensure that the current dynamics in the sectors are fully understood," he said.

The CAK board has also created three new general manager positions to whom the new chief managers will report instead of reporting directly to the director general as has been the case.

The new general manager positions were created on recommendations of a consultant who audited the operations of CAK. The positions include technical services, corporate affairs and support services.

According to the advertisement, all applications are to be submitted by January 14, meaning that the new managers may be in office within the first quarter of 2015.