John Burugu: Document Leaks Showing PSC Recommended State Officer Accused of Holding 2 Positions
- The Public Service Commission is on the spot over the controversy surrounding the filling of the position of Secretary of Refugee Affairs at the Ministry of Interior
- A document from PSC recommending the appointment of John Njuguna Burugu to the position leaked amid ongoing controversy
- The letter, seen by TUKO.co.ke, clearly states when Burugu was supposed to report and how much salary he was supposed to earn
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Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Nairobi - Controversy has deepened over the appointment of John Njuguna Burugu as Secretary of Refugee Affairs at the Ministry of Interior.
Source: Facebook
The Public Service Commission (PSC) is on the spot over the handling of the recruitment for the critical position.
Did Kithure Kindiki appoint John Burugu?
On March 13, 2023, Kithure Kindiki, then as the Minister for Interior and National Administration, appointed Burugu as Commissioner for Refugee Affairs, subject to the concurrence of PSC as per Sections (7) and (8) of the Refugee Act No. 10 of 2021.
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PSC delayed in giving the concurrence and instead advertised the position in January 2024, and applications closed on February 13, 2024.
Speaking to TUKO.co.ke, Burugu disclosed that he attended the interview on July 2, 2024, after which he emerged as the best candidate.
"I was invited for an interview by PSC on 25th June 2024, which could not happen due to the Gen Z riots. The interview was held on 2nd July 2024, and following the Commission appointment as a successful candidate, a letter was dispatched to PS for SDI and CS for onward transmission," Burugu stated.
Later, the PSC, through its CEO, published an advertisement on March 15, 2025, that it had cancelled the advertised position of Secretary for Refugee Affairs No. 3/2024 –CSG 4L.
The cancellation of an advertised, interviewed, and appointed position met protests through a court case by a human rights organisation seeking an explanation and an order to stop any action to re-advertise or fill the position in whatever way, including in an acting capacity, until matters before the court are heard and exhausted by the courts of law.
How much was John Burugu supposed to earn?
In the ongoing court case, the PSC denied conducting and concluding the appointment of the Commissioner for Refugee Affairs.
However, a document from PSC has leaked, showing the commission completed the process and recommended the appointment of Burugu as Secretary of Refugee Affairs.
In the letter addressed to then Immigration PS Julius Bitok, PSC recommended Burugu's appointment for a period of three years, earning a salary of KSh 335,450 per month.
"This is to convey the decision oof PSC that John Nguguna Burugu be appointed to fill the one advertised vacancyin grade Secretary Refuge Affairs (CSG 4/ Job Group T- Salary Scale 180,160-335,450 p.m) in the your Ministry (State Department for Immigratoion and Citizen Services) on local agreement terms for an initial peried of three years effective on the date he assumes duties," PSC said a leaked document.
However, Burugu disclosed that he never received his appointment letter despite PSC agreeing with the CS's earlier decision to appoint him.,
"This never happened, and I am still waiting for the letter," he said.
Source: Facebook
Was John Burugu asked to hand over the office?
As reported earlier, Burugu has served in the public service in various capacities since 1994.
His current substantial appointment is as a State Officer and Member of the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee (IGRTC) from July 2020 to June 2026—a six-year non-renewable appointment.
Last week, Immigration PS Belio Kipsang asked Burugu to hand over his office and return to IGRTC, a move that he faults as irregular despite a court order.
A section of Kenyans slammed the Public Service Commission (PSC) for causing confusion and attempting to shift the blame instead of taking responsibility.
"Shameful for PSCKenya to disown Burugu’s appointment as Refugee Affairs Secretary — even with documents showing they recommended him. PS Bitok and others playing monkey business must know: Kenyans aren’t bananas! Under Art. 10, 232 - accountability is not an option," said Consumer Federation of Kenya (COFEK) secretary general Stephen Mutoro.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
