MPs question delayed contract renewal of Kenya Fisheries Service DG
By Francis Muli, June 27, 2025The National Assembly’s Blue Economy, Water and Irrigation Committee has raised eyebrows over the delayed renewal of the contract for the Director-General of the Kenya Fisheries Service (KeFS), Daniel Mungai.
The committee, chaired by Marakwet East MP Kangogo Bowen, engaged with key stakeholders over the matter on Thursday, June 26, 2025.
Among those questioned over the matter include Chairman of the KeFS Board of Directors, Col. (Rtd) Noor Musa, and Christine Nanjala, a representative of the State Corporations Advisory Committee (SCAC).
According to Musa the KeFS Board is mandated to determine whether to appoint a new Director-General or renew the existing contract. Once a decision is reached, the Board communicates its recommendation to the parent Ministry and the Office of the Head of Public Service.
He noted that the process of appointment or renewal is guided by several legal and policy instruments, including the State Corporations Act, the Fisheries Management and Development Act, the Mwongozo Code of Governance, the KeFS Human Resource Policy and Procedures Manual, and relevant government circulars.
Musa says that an Ad Hoc Committee was formed by the Board to evaluate Mungai’s suitability for reappointment. The evaluation focused on key areas such as historical performance, the existence of any disciplinary records, and the Director-General’s overall achievements.
“It was discovered that the Director-General’s ratings in both the annual performance contracts and appraisals from the State Corporations Advisory Committee (SCAC) were excellent over the last three years, averaging above 88% — far exceeding the 70% threshold required for renewal of a State Corporation CEO’s contract,” Musa said.
“This, together with his notable achievements and a clean disciplinary record, led the Committee to unanimously recommend the renewal of Mr. Mungai’s contract for a second four-year term.”
In a meeting with the Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Hassan Joho last week, the committee was informed that the Ministry remains the appointing authority and exercises oversight over the Board.
The Committee now plans to meet with officials from the Office of the Attorney General and the Prime Cabinet Secretary for further consultations and clarification on the matter.