A parliamentary committee has uncovered a prolonged governance lapse at the National Communication Secretariat (NCS), exposing that the agency has operated without a board of directors since its establishment in 1999.

During a session on July 29, 2026, before the Public Investments Committee on Social Services Administration and Agriculture (PICSSAA), NCS CEO George Nyaory faced intense questioning over the agency’s ambiguous legal status and financial management.

Governance and Legal Status Concerns

Lawmakers revealed that the NCS has functioned without board oversight for more than two decades, a situation attributed to an omission in the Kenya Information and Communications Act of 1998. This lack of formal governance structures has left the agency in a legal and operational limbo, uncertain whether it is a government department or a state corporation.

Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe, chair of the committee, expressed concern over the absence of scrutiny in budget and policy execution, stating, "You are on your own, and it is never done like that." He urged the agency to seek a clear legal identity through parliamentary action.

Financial Accountability Questions

The committee also scrutinised the handling of Ksh50 million allocated in 2022 for a staff mortgage scheme, which remains unimplemented. Instead of being utilised, the funds have been held in an operational account, accruing about Ksh3 million in interest according to the agency’s finance head.

Lawmakers demanded certified bank statements amid suspicions that the principal amount might have been diverted to cover operational expenses. The committee vowed to pursue full accountability for these funds.

Human Resource Challenges

Audit findings revealed the agency lacked approved human resource frameworks for years, resulting in no staff promotions and inconsistent salary payments based on discretion rather than standardized grading. This has led to staff stagnation and morale issues.

Saboti MP Caleb Amisi questioned how the agency motivates employees given the absence of career progression. CEO Nyaory noted that new HR instruments were approved in 2025, transitioning staff to permanent and pensionable terms, but the committee remained critical of the agency’s prolonged inertia.

Committee Directives

  • NCS was instructed to submit a complete asset register and certified bank statements for further review.
  • The committee warned of submitting recommendations to Parliament if the agency fails to resolve outstanding audit queries and provide required documentation.

The revelations have prompted lawmakers to intensify oversight, emphasizing the need for structural reforms and financial transparency at the National Communication Secretariat.