Kenya’s Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Peter Tum, has been directed to pay Sh1.8 million following an irregular appointment during his time as CEO of the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC).
The ruling was communicated by Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Dr. Korir Sing’oei in a letter dated September 4, 2025. The decision came after the Inspectorate of State Corporations confirmed that Tum was responsible for the wrongful appointment of Dr. Miriam Ndunge Muthoka.Dr. Muthoka served as the Corporation Secretary of KMTC between November 13, 2015, and January 11, 2022, without meeting the necessary qualifications, including registration as a Certified Public Secretary.
The Inspectorate determined that this appointment resulted from misconduct and negligence, causing financial loss to the institution. Dr. Korir’s letter instructed Tum to pay the full surcharge of Sh1,837,355 to KMTC within 30 days or provide an approved repayment plan. If he fails to comply, the government will recover the money automatically from his salary.
The letter specifies that monthly deductions of Sh100,000 would be applied over 19 months until the full amount is recovered.
This decision follows a recommendation from the Inspectorate of State Corporations, led by James Warui, which was sent to the Principal Secretary on June 5, 2025. The Inspectorate’s mandate allows it to hold officials accountable for losses incurred by state institutions, ensuring that funds lost due to negligence or misconduct are recovered.
By enforcing these surcharges, the Inspectorate aims to maintain accountability and integrity in public institutions.
The ruling is similar to earlier action taken against former KMTC Board Chair Prof. Philip Kaloki, who faced a surcharge for his role in irregular appointments. Kaloki had appealed, claiming bias and lack of merit, but the State Corporations Appeals Tribunal upheld the penalty in July 2025.
The Tribunal confirmed that the appointment of Dr. Muthoka was unlawful and directed both parties to recalculate the amount payable, taking into account statutory deductions during her tenure. The correct figures are expected to be determined within 30 days to enable recovery.
These measures are intended to safeguard public funds and ensure that appointments in public institutions follow legal and professional standards. The government has emphasized that any failure to comply with the surcharge instructions will lead to automatic recovery, reinforcing the seriousness of such breaches.
The enforcement of these surcharges reflects ongoing efforts to maintain transparency and integrity within Kenya’s public sector, ensuring that those who act negligently face consequences while protecting the financial health of institutions like KMTC.
