Why Francis Kimemia lost key post

Francis Kimemia takes his oath of office as Secretary to the Cabinet at State House, Nairobi. PHOTO | PSCU | FILE  NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• Even as Mr Kimemia was removed from the security organ, a top Jubilee politician is said to have been uncomfortable with the top civil servant and has been plotting his downfall
• Mr Kimemia said there was nothing unusual in the move to shift the docket to Mr Kinyua’s office

By ISAAC ONGIRI
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State House on Thursday said Mr Francis Kimemia was dropped from a top security organ he had been chairing after it was realised that the position falls in a different docket.


 

Secretary of Communication at State House Manoah Esipisu further said there was nothing political in Mr Kimemia’s removal from the National Security Advisory Committee (NSAC).

“He held the position to facilitate transition but NSAC is supposed to be chaired by the head of Public Service,” said Mr Esipisu.

Mr Kimemia remains the secretary to the Cabinet.

Mr Joseph Kinyua, a former Treasury permanent secretary, will be in charge of both the Public Service and NSAC.

Even as Mr Kimemia was removed from the security organ, a top Jubilee politician is said to have been uncomfortable with the top civil servant and has been plotting his downfall.

The Nation established that the politician has been pushing for the dismissal of Mr Kimemia but has faced resistance from government officials who feel he is still necessary.

Mr Kimemia said: “I count myself an achiever. I have done a lot and introduced several key reforms in government.

“I am not bitter about anything because we have a new Constitution that allocates positions and roles to various offices desirably.”

He said there was nothing unusual in the move to shift the docket to Mr Kinyua’s office, adding that the position is more relevant under the head of Public Service’s office, where the President has shifted it.

Mr Kimemia took over following the resignation of Mr Francis Muthaura in January 2012 and was in charge of the security apparatus and the Public Service during the transition period.

BLOODLESS TRANSITION

“I am happy to have overseen a bloodless transition from one administration to the other through democratic elections. That was a crucial office and it is easy to make many enemies when you enforce government decisions for the good of the nation,” said Mr Kimemia.

He denied the existence of friction in government, adding that the Constitution had reshaped the operations of government, making it difficult for concentration of State powers in one office.

Mr Kinyua was appointed head of Public Service in September last year, taking over a huge docket previously under Mr Kimemia’s office.

His base was initially at State House before space was created for him on the second floor of the President’s Harambee House office. Mr Kimemia operated from the sixth floor of the same building.