Hussein Tene Debasso has declined President Ruto’s State job appointment to the National Youth Service (NYS) Council. Debasso who formerly served as the chairperson of the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC), cited personal reasons for rejecting the offer.
This rejection adds to a growing list of officials turning down President Ruto’s state job appointment, raising questions about the government’s strategies and the dynamics of political appointments.
Debasso, Key Figures Decline State Jobs
Former Machakos Town MP Victor Munyaka and former Senator Millicent Omanga have also recently declined appointments to state bodies. Munyaka refused to head the Kenya Animal Genetic Resource Centre, while Omanga rejected her nomination to the Nairobi Rivers Commission.
Hussein Tene Debasso acknowledged the appointment publicly but explained his reasons for stepping away in a formal statement.
“I, Hussein Tene Debasso, immediate chairman of the Kenya National Trading Corporation, wish to thankfully acknowledge my appointment as a member of the Board, National Youth Service via Gazette Notice of 15th October 2024. Owing to personal reasons, I have written to the President of the Republic of Kenya declining the appointment,” he stated.
The Public Service and Human Capital Development Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi announced the appointment on November 15, 2024. Alongside Debasso’s role, Muturi revoked Ali Sahal Idris’ position on the board.
Controversies Surround Debasso’s Tenure
Debasso’s rejection comes after his removal as KNTC chairperson, where he opposed a contentious directive by Trade CS Salim Mvurya. This directive sought to appoint Lucy Anangwe as the KNTC managing director despite her alleged involvement in a major corruption scandal.
Anangwe’s name had surfaced in a special audit by the Auditor-General linking her to a Sh6.5 billion edible oil procurement scandal. As the KNTC’s former Head of Finance, she was accused of approving questionable transactions before her promotion to General Manager.
The edible oil procurement case has tarnished the KNTC’s reputation. Reports revealed that duty-free oil was imported at inflated prices, costing taxpayers over Sh875 million in additional costs.
Investigations into Edible Oil Scandal
The ongoing edible oil scandal has triggered investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and the National Assembly’s Agriculture Committee.
President Ruto ordered a thorough inquiry into the matter, emphasizing accountability. However, allegations of interference by senior government officials have complicated the probe. Critics claim that some officials influenced procurement decisions, benefiting private firms at the public’s expense.
Growing Scrutiny over State Appointments
The rejection of high-profile appointments signals a growing unease within political circles. Observers suggest these refusals highlight deeper governance issues, including public mistrust in key institutions and unresolved corruption scandals.
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