KBC Acting Managing Director Sacked

By Moses Muli

Published:Dec,19,2023 5:00 PM(EAT)

The acting managing director of the state owned national broadcaster Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, Samuel Maina has been sacked with immediate effect.

In a letter dated December 19,2023, cabinet secretary for ICT and digital economy, Eliud Owalo said Maina had been sacked for committing the Goverment of Kenya to pay out Sh.750 billion in London Court Of International Arbitration (LCIA) without the approval of the Ministry,the National Treasury and the office of the Attorney General.

Meanwhile the CS has appointed Communication Economic Expert Paul Macharia as the Acting Managing Director for a period of Six months.

Mr Maina was appointed in March 2022 on an acting capacity. He is accused of commiting to pay the amount in a law suit dating back to 2009. KBC terminated a joint venture agreement with a Dubai based businessman and owner of Channel 2 group. The joint partnership would see the state corporation provide technical equipment while channel2 would supply the new digital station with staff, programming content and resources. However KBCterminated the deal without notice in 2009, costing the businessman billions in forgone profits.

The state broadcaster and to an extend the taxpayer is staring at a Sh.40 Billion payout should the london court rule in favor of Channel 2.