A public dispute has emerged following the swearing-in of Michael Thoya Kingi as a commissioner at the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), with lawyer Ndegwa Njiru accusing the government of abandoning earlier commitments to address alleged state capture and political patronage.
His remarks came shortly after Senate Speaker Amason Kingi shared news of his brother’s appointment on social media.
In a statement posted on X, Njiru argued that the administration had pledged to establish an independent inquiry into state capture but was instead demonstrating what he termed a return to “cronyistic practices.”
He questioned how close relatives of senior state officials were being placed in oversight institutions designed to promote transparency and fairness in public finance.
Njiru described the decision as inconsistent with the Kenya Kwanza government’s early reform promises, which were widely highlighted during the 2022 election campaigns.
According to information published by local outlets such as the Star and People Daily, President William Ruto appointed Michael Kingi to the SRC through Gazette Notice No. 16522 dated November 14, 2025.
Chief Justice Martha Koome presided over his swearing-in at a ceremony held in Nairobi on Monday.
During the event, Koome reminded newly appointed commissioners of their constitutional duty to uphold accountability in public compensation structures, noting that SRC’s mandate under Article 230 includes safeguarding prudent use of public resources.
Amason Kingi, who has previously defended the independence of constitutional commissions, welcomed the appointment, stating that the SRC must continue discharging its functions with transparency and discipline.
His message emphasised the Commission’s role in stabilising public wage bills, a long-running issue in Kenya’s governance discourse since the Commission’s establishment under the 2010 Constitution.
Njiru’s criticism adds to a broader national conversation on political appointments, particularly where family ties intersect with state offices.
Similar debates have surfaced in previous administrations, often prompting calls for clearer vetting standards and reinforcement of merit-based recruitment within independent institutions.
Governance experts have historically warned that perceived conflicts of interest can weaken public confidence in constitutional bodies charged with oversight responsibilities.