Nairobi: Top Govt Official Dismisses Claims of Holding 2 Public Jobs
- John Burugu was allegedly directed to hand over the Commissioner for Refugee Affairs office to an officer from the Ministry of Interior
- Burugu explained why an alleged mistake by Education PS Julius Bitok led to the current legal battle over the position
- He was accused of serving in two positions, including at the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee (IGRTC)
Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over four years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Nairobi - A top government official, John Burugu, has come out strongly to refute claims that he is holding two public service positions simultaneously.
Source: Facebook
Burugu, who has been serving as the acting Commissioner for Refugee Affairs, is now pointing fingers at Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok, who previously served in the Immigration docket.
Is Julius Bitok to blame?
He accuses Bitok of deliberately withholding his official appointment letter, despite having been appointed by the Public Service Commission (PSC) after a competitive interview in July 2024.
Speaking exclusively to TUKO.co.ke, he said the letter was to regularise the acting appointment earlier made by the then Interior Cabinet Secretary and current Deputy President, Kithure Kindiki.
According to Burugu, the alleged refusal to issue his appointment letter was not in good faith. He claims that after a competitive recruitment process, he emerged as the top candidate for the Commissioner of Refugee Affairs position.
“I attended the interview, performed best, and was declared the successful candidate. However, to date, I have never received my appointment letter,” claimed Burugu.
He clarified that during his tenure as acting Commissioner of Refugees, he never received a salary from that office.
Instead, he continued drawing his salary from the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee (IGRTC), where he was initially appointed.
“I am ready to be surcharged if need be. But the truth is, I have not received a single coin from the Refugee office. I have only been on one government payroll. My salary has consistently come from IGRTC,” he emphasised.
Burugu further explained that the delay by the PSC to give concurrence for his appointment by the Cabinet secretary contributed to the current confusion.
“Following that interview, I was officially appointed. A letter was dispatched to the PS for State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services for onward delivery to me—but I never received it,” Burugu said.
Source: Facebook
Who wants John Burugu out?
Despite his successful appointment, Burugu says PSC, through its CEO, later announced through an advertisement on March 15, 2025, that the position of Secretary for Refugee Affairs (Job No. 3/2024 – CSG 4) had been cancelled. This move has sparked a legal battle.
He lamented that some external forces might be trying to push a hidden agenda after he was directed to hand over to another officer from the Ministry of Interior.
“A human rights organisation has already filed a case in court, protesting the cancellation. They are seeking an injunction to prevent any attempts to re-advertise or fill the position in any manner, including on an acting basis, until the matter is resolved in court.
"I am instructed by the PS for Immigration, Kipsang Belio, through a letter to hand over to an officer from the Ministry of Interior, who is taking over in an acting capacity still. Though I am not the one who is in court, the ignorance and refusal to respect the court order issued on the position I have been holding tells you the story of forces now peddling falsehoods to taint my integrity in public service," Burugu claimed.
Did Moses Kuria resign?
In other news, President William Ruto's senior economic advisor, Moses Kuria, resigned from his position.
Kuria issued a statement indicating that the president had accepted his resignation from the position he had served for 10 months.
He had earlier served as a Cabinet secretary before he was fired by the president following protests by Gen Z.
Kuria did not disclose his next move, but had hinted at working with former president Uhuru Kenyatta as the secretary general of the Jubilee Party.
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Kenyans newspapers, June 23: Raila's party seeks Sakaja to cede Nairobi governorship to ODM
The Trade and Public Service CS also hinted at seeking the presidency in 2027.
Although some political analysts alleged Kuria could join the Opposition team led by former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, the outspoken politician cum technocrat has dismissed the speculation.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
