Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo has appointed Agnes Kalekye Nguna as the new Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC). The appointment is effective immediately and will span a period of three years.
Kalekye Nguna steps into this role following her tenure as the Chief Operating Officer at The Star Publications and Chairperson of the Media Owners Association (MOA). Her appointment was confirmed by the Cabinet Secretary through the Chairman of the Board of the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation.
“This appointment, which is effective immediately, will run for a period of three years,” Owalo stated. “We wish Ms. Nguna well in her new role, and the Ministry looks forward to her working closely with the Board of Directors in the revitalisation of the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation as envisaged.”
Kalekye’s appointment follows a rigorous and competitive recruitment process conducted in March 2024, where eight candidates were shortlisted and interviewed. The shortlisted candidates were:
– Abraham Muthogo Kamau from Nairobi
– Tabitha Mutemi, OGW from Kitui
– Christopher S. Khisa (PhD) from Bungoma
– Peter Njigua from Vihiga
– Jason K. Nyantino from Kisii
– Peter O. Opondo from Kakamega
– Sogoti James from Baringo
KBC has been without a substantive Managing Director since the departure of Naim Bilal. Samuel Maina was serving as the acting MD following Bilal’s contract expiry on March 19, 2022. However, Maina was dismissed on December 19, 2023, after a controversial decision involving a commitment to pay $5 billion (Ksh769 billion) in the LCIA Arbitration No. 122233: Channel 2 Group Corporation versus Kenya Broadcasting Corporation.
The appointment of Kalekye Nguna is expected to bring new energy and direction to the state owned KBC, as it seeks to strengthen its position in Kenya’s media landscape.
