The ongoing controversy surrounding the appointment of the Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) Director General has brought to light troubling details about political interference and manipulation within the Treasury.
At the center of the debate is Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo, who is allegedly pushing for the appointment of Kefa Seda despite clear indications that he does not meet the qualifications required for the position.
While some sources claim that the bribery allegations against Kiptoo are part of internal Treasury power struggles, the real concern appears to be the blatant disregard for proper hiring procedures and merit-based selection.
One of the most glaring issues is the inconsistent application of experience requirements. The position of PPP Director General requires a candidate with a certain level of experience, yet in the case of Kefa Seda, these requirements are being overlooked.
Mr. Seda has never served in the capacity required for a director-level position and has only held the title of Deputy Director. The role is categorized under Job Group T, which means only individuals who have served at the director level should be considered.
Despite this clear disqualification, Mr. Seda has been shortlisted, raising serious questions about the integrity of the recruitment process.Beyond the job group mismatch, the entire vetting process lacks transparency.
The shortlisting committee appears to have ignored the set criteria and proceeded with selections that do not reflect merit or competence. The dismissal of previous integrity concerns regarding Kefa Seda further undermines the credibility of the process.
Memos raising red flags about his conduct have reportedly been brushed aside, creating doubts about whether the process is truly aimed at selecting the most suitable candidate or if it is being manipulated to serve hidden agendas.
Such actions weaken public trust in government institutions and cast a shadow over the legitimacy of the appointment.There is an urgent need for a lifestyle audit on Kefa Seda to assess his financial activities and professional conduct both before and after his involvement in PPP projects.
Given the strategic importance of the PPP department in handling large-scale government projects, any individual appointed to lead it must be beyond reproach.
This calls for a deeper investigation into his record in civil service, including his efficiency, accountability, and any past controversies that might indicate a pattern of mismanagement or favoritism.
Another major concern is the apparent political influence in this appointment process. The push for Kefa Seda’s selection appears to be heavily backed by PS Kiptoo, raising suspicions of undue political patronage.
If Kiptoo has a personal or professional connection to the candidate, it presents a direct conflict of interest that should not be ignored. The Public Service Commission (PSC) must explain why the selection process has not strictly adhered to established standards, and why a candidate with obvious disqualifications is still in the running for the position.
The role of Public-Private Partnerships within KeNHA, where Mr. Seda has been actively involved, also needs to be reviewed. There are concerns about possible conflicts of interest, mismanagement, and favoritism in the way PPP projects have been handled under his watch.
If Seda has been part of questionable dealings in his previous role, his appointment to a more influential position within the PPP framework could open the door for even greater irregularities.
To restore public confidence in government appointments, there must be a fair and merit-based selection process. The PPP Director General position is too important to be subjected to political interference and backdoor deals.
If Chris Kiptoo has played a role in manipulating the process, he must be held accountable, and if a conflict of interest exists, he should immediately recuse himself from any involvement in the appointment.
The Public Service Commission has a responsibility to uphold fairness, transparency, and accountability in the recruitment process, and any deviations from these principles must be investigated.
Kenya cannot afford to have unqualified individuals occupying key government positions due to political connections. The appointment of the PPP Director General should be based on merit, not favoritism or political influence.
A thorough investigation should be launched into this matter to ensure that the right candidate is selected through a process that is free from manipulation. If these concerns are not addressed, it will further erode trust in public institutions and set a dangerous precedent for future appointments in government.
