Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has thrown his support behind former TV journalist Jacque Maribe amid confusion surrounding her alleged top job at his Public Service, Performance and Delivery management ministry.
In a statement released on his official X account, Kuria expressed his solidarity with Maribe citing their longstanding friendship of 16 years.
“Meanwhile, I stand with Jacque Maribe, my friend for the last 16 years, and I will stand with her just like I stood with Gov Kawira Mwangaza in the wake of unjustified bullying,” Moses Kuria wrote.
The CS also reiterated that he never designated the media personality for a position nor issued any statements regarding her appointment.
The ex-journalist was reportedly appointed as the Head of Communications in the ministry barely months after being acquitted in businesswoman Monica Kimani’s murder case.
Gov’t dismisses Maribe’s appointment
In a statement shared on Thursday, March 14, 2024, Anthony Muchiri, the Public Service Commission’s chairperson, clarified that contrary to Kuria’s earlier statements, there had been no appointment of Jacque Maribe to any position, nor had the board received any request for her employment.
Muchiri emphasized that any vacancies would be announced publicly and filled through a competitive recruitment process.
CS Kuria had previously announced Maribe’s supposed appointment, attributing it to the Public Service Commission, but Muchiri’s statement contradicted this, stating that no such appointment had been made.
Despite the lack of official confirmation, others like digital strategist Dennis Itumbi congratulated Maribe for what they believed was her new role, expressing support and blessings for her future endeavours.
“Congratulations, Jacque Maribe. May God bless you as you serve Asante @HonMoses_Kuria for standing with a generation, please keep doing good and stretching your hand,” Itumbi wrote.
Maribe acquitted
On February 9, 2024, Jacque Maribe was acquitted in the case of the murder of businesswoman Monica Kimani in a ruling rendered by Justice Grace Nzioka.
The primary suspect in the case, Joseph Irungu, alias Jowie, was convicted of the murder that took place on September 19, 2018 and eventually sentenced to death.
