| Information and Communication Minister Raphael Tuju announced that he transferred the former director general of the Communication Commission of Kenya (CCK), Sammy Kirui, to head Telkom Kenya. Kirui moves into the position formerly held by John Waweru, who was made the director general of the CCK.
Kenya's telecommunications sector has been dealing with controversy since March, when Tuju suspended Kirui and the CCK’s board, saying that he needed to investigate "issues that had come to his attention" regarding the board. The suspension angered telecommunications industry insiders, who blamed Tuju for delaying opening the market in order to protect Telkom Kenya.
The market had been impressed by the speed with which Kirui and the CCK’s board freed the sector, including giving new licenses to a third mobile operator and dozens of Internet service providers and ordering Telkom to connect Internet companies that offer low-price international calls.
"The market was very happy with Kirui, and Tuju had no option but to reinstate him," one industry source said.
The source said Kurui's appointment at Telkom Kenya was good because he was likely to speed up the privatisation of the company. The government says it plans to sell part of its stake in Telkom Kenya this year after restructuring is completed.
Tuju is also involved in a court case with South Africa-based Econet Wireless International over a license for a third mobile provider awarded by CCK but which the minister cancelled last year.
Source: Reuters |