Francis Kimemia sacking ends long career in civil service

Francis Kimemia

The sacking of Francis Kimemia as Secretary to the Cabinet by President Uhuru Kenyatta brings an end to a long civil service career of one the most powerful personalities retained from the Kibaki regime.

In the changes announced by the President on Friday, Kimemia’s powerful Cabinet position went to Interior Principal Secretary Monica Juma, a career ambassador and former university lecturer.

Only two weeks ago, Kimemia stepped aside to allow for investigations after he was named by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission over alleged graft.

He becomes the first casualty but his replacement confirms the President is not keen on retaining him even if cleared of corruption allegations. Kimemia was Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet during Kibaki’s regime. He was retained by the Kenyatta government when it assumed power for ‘transitional purposes’.

Indeed in April 2013 while unveiling his first Cabinet, Uhuru said: “In order to ensure a smooth transition, we have nominated Kimemia as the Secretary to Cabinet.”

A month later, Kimemia was approved by Parliament’s Administration and National Security committee as Secretary to the Cabinet, after the committee disregarded recommendations by the Ethics and Ant-Corruption Commission against his appointment, saying they were based on suspicions.

But come September of the same year, the President, during a meeting of Cabinet and Principal Secretaries at State House, Nairobi, appointed former Treasury PS Joseph Kinyua as Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service. Kinyua’s appointment significantly diminished Kimenia’s influence in the corridors of power.

In February 2014, Kimemia accused the US development agency, USAid, of funding anti-government protests in Nairobi. Kimemia had then claimed the National Security Advisory Committee had evidence that USAid had given money to two activists who had organised demonstrations in the city, but US ambassador Robert Godec dismissed the claims. But as time passed, Kimemia’s public standing continued to diminish under the Jubilee government, and even just like any other Kenyan, his Nairobi home was to be attacked by thugs.

His driver was wounded in a shooting incident in Nairobi after being attacked by a gang. The gang had driven with the driver into Kimemia’s compound in Kileleshwa, and attempted to force their way into his house, police officers on guard opened fire. Kimemia refused to comment on the issue.

When rivalry among security agencies and lack of clear command lines seriously affected the response to the terrorist attack on the Westgate Mall, Kimemia, as one of the high ranking personalities in government, had to contend with the wrath of the Head of State.

But his mention on the EACC corruption list, his eventual stepping aside, and final dismissal are what must have hit him hardest.
His dismissal came just a week after he claimed rampant insecurity was due to inexperience among managers of the country’s security. This comment may have angered Uhuru.

Kimemia was appointed the Head of Civil Service and Secretary to the Cabinet in 2011 by former President Kibaki in an acting capacity and confirmed in the position a year later. He took over from Ambassador Francis Muthaura who was forced to step aside after the International Criminal Court (ICC) preferred charges against him, only for the charges to be dropped for lack of evidence.

Kimemia previously served as PS, Ministry of State for Provincial Administration and Internal Security.

Kenyans will be watching keenly what the former Secretary to the Cabinet’s next move will be.