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Stanley Kamanguya, Chief Executive Officer of Kenya’s Information and Communication Technology Authority (ICTA), has been placed on terminal leave with immediate effect, according to a statement issued by the agency’s board on July 1. The decision comes amid a pending court order and an ongoing legal battle over the terms of his reappointment.
The Employment and Labour Relations Court had issued interim orders on June 30 barring the ICTA Board from discussing or revisiting Kamanguya’s contract, pending a full hearing scheduled for July 7. The injunction, issued by Justice Nduma Nderi, came in response to a petition filed by Kamanguya challenging the board’s attempts to revisit a March decision recommending him for a second term beginning August 8.
Kamanguya contends that the Board’s actions violate the court’s directive and undermine judicial authority. His petition alleges that a special board meeting was convened on July 1 to review minutes related to his reappointment, despite the court injunction.
The leadership shake-up follows a recent reconstitution of the ICTA Board, announced via a government gazette notice on May 16. Lily Ng’ok was appointed as the new non-executive chairperson, while several previous board members were replaced.
The Board has named Zilpher Owiti as Acting CEO pending the appointment of a permanent successor.
ICTA is a key agency responsible for implementing Kenya’s digital transformation strategy, including oversight of national ICT policy and infrastructure development. The outcome of the leadership dispute could have significant implications for the continuity of flagship technology initiatives and broader investor confidence in Kenya’s tech ecosystem.