National broadcaster, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), has kicked off the search for a new Managing Director, seven months after long-serving Waithaka Waihenya left.
The broadcaster has enlisted the services of PriceWaterhouseCoopers to competitively hunt for a new head. The criteria stipulated in an advertisement placed in a section of the media is so stringent that analysts say it is unlikely Editor-in-Chief Samuel Maina, who it is said is keen to ascend to the top would qualify.
The station is looking for a candidate who has at least 10 years working experience, seven of which should have been in a senior management capacity in the media or ICT industry; Bachelors degree in social sciences, communication, marketing, business administration, law, engineering or its equivalent from a recognised accredited university and a Masters degree in the relevant field from a recognised degree.
In addition, the qualifying applicant should be a member of a relevant professional body in the area of training. Training in leadership, management and corporate governance from a recognised training institution would be an added advantage.
KBC is also scouting for several key competencies including demonstrated sound leadership and people management skills. It says it wants a strategic thinker and transformational leader who possesses good analytical and critical thinking skills as well as problem-solving, judgement and decision-making skills.
To qualify, one must also have proven capacity to provide gainful insights and practical and pragmatic solutions to business challenges, among others.
With such a stringent criteria, it is unlikely the recruiters would go for an insider and are most likely looking for someone who would turnaround the national broadcaster, which has for years been reeling from financial distress.
About three months ago, ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru hit out at senior editorial and other section managers as he criticised the manner the media house utilises its finances as well as the conduct of general operations.
One of the key questions that the CS raised and did not get adequate response was failure to expand coverage of the Signet signal across the country. According to insiders, KBC was allocated funds to put up 10 masts across the country in the last financial year but it only established six.
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He revealed plans to effect massive changes at the national broadcaster, a task he is likely to place on the shoulders of the new MD.
