Information and Technology Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo has strongly defended the government’s decision to oust ICT Authority CEO Stanley Kamanguya, dismissing claims of political or ethnic bias as “false and misleading.”
Addressing the controversy on Tuesday, Kabogo took a swipe at former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who recently alleged that President William Ruto’s administration was targeting civil servants from the Mt Kenya region.
“I want to make it very clear that President William Ruto has not instructed us to remove anyone from office on ethnic or political grounds,” Kabogo said. “Claims by Mr. Gachagua that there is a purge on civil servants from the Mt Kenya region are wrong and should be ignored.”
Kabogo insisted that the removal of Kamanguya was purely an administrative decision within the ICT docket and had nothing to do with political interference.
“The President has no hand in how we run our ministries,” the CS emphasized, accusing Gachagua of stoking unnecessary tensions. “Such statements only serve to divide Kenyans and undermine government operations.”
The dispute over Kamanguya’s position has since moved to the courts. On July 1, the High Court issued temporary orders stopping the ICT Authority Board from terminating his employment pending a full hearing of the case.
Justice Nduma Nderi certified the petition as urgent and directed that it be served and responded to within five days.
“Meanwhile, an injunction is issued restraining the Board from discussing the matter of the petitioner’s reappointment, pending the hearing and determination of this application,” the court ruled.
Gachagua, who is currently on a tour of the United States, sparked the controversy after alleging that Mt Kenya professionals were being systematically removed from senior government positions. His remarks have fueled political debate, with leaders from across the divide weighing in on whether ethnic considerations influence government appointments.
Kabogo, however, maintained that the government remains committed to meritocracy and unity.
“We will not allow anyone to introduce tribalism into public service reforms,” he stated.
