Paul Wasanga, Lydia Nzomo tenures end

Nairobi, Kenya: The chief executive officers for the Kenya National Examination Council (Knec) and the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) have left office after completing their tenures.

The terms of Knec Secretary Paul Wasanga and KICD Director Lydia Nzomo ended on Monday, leaving a vacuum that education stakeholders now want filled urgently.

Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (Kessha) and the Kenya Primary School Heads Association (Kepsha) Tuesday asked Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi to immediately appoint substantive CEOs to head Knec and KICD.

Elimu Yetu Coalition, Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) and the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) also weighed in to push the Government to act fast.

Prof Kaimenyi Tuesday said he had already received three names from Knec and KICD and noted that he will make the appointments soon.

"I do not know why there is anxiety. We will complete the process in due course," he said on telephone from Kigali, Rwanda.

The Standard has established that Dr Julius Juan, Dina Mwinzi and Elkana Kipsang Lagat emerged top three, in that order, during the interview for KICD position.

Dina Mwinzi was also shortlisted for Knec position alongside Dr Joseph Kivilu, who is now the acting CEO. Kivilu is currently a Senior Deputy Secretary Test Development.

Sources at the KICD indicate that the board, through chairperson Erustus Peter Kinyanjui, has appointed Mercy Karogo to be the acting KICD director.

Kuppet Secretary General Akello Misori warned against dragging politics into the appointments and noted that candidates must be selected purely on merit.

"We have given them two weeks to sort out this or we shall engage in litigation," said Misori.

Knut Secretary General Wilson Sossion said thus: "They know what to do and we should not remind them."

And speaking Tuesday, Kaimenyi said there should be no cause for alarm. "This is a process and we shall complete it when I return,' he said.

Pressure, however, continued to pile on the Government to act fast.

"Because of the sensitivity of these organisations, we want these positions filled like now and the people must have proper background in the respective agencies," said Kepsha National Chairman Joseph Karuga.