Kenyan Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Eng. Peter Tum, has been ordered to pay a surcharge of Ksh.1.8 million. The payment relates to an irregular appointment he made while serving as Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC).
In a letter dated September 4, 2025, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Dr. Korir Sing’oei communicated the decision. The directive followed a report by the Inspectorate of State Corporations, which confirmed that Tum was liable for the appointment of Dr. Miriam Ndunge Muthoka as Corporation Secretary. She served in the role between November 2015 and January 2022.
The Inspectorate found the appointment irregular because Dr. Muthoka did not meet the legal qualifications. Notably, she was not registered as a Certified Public Secretary, a requirement for the position.
Dr. Korir ordered Tum to pay Ksh.1,837,355 to KMTC within 30 days. He was also instructed to provide proof of payment or a repayment plan. If he fails to comply, the surcharge will be recovered automatically through monthly salary deductions of Ksh.100,000 over a period of 19 months.
The letter was also copied to Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs CS Dr. Musalia Mudavadi and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, signaling the seriousness of the matter.
This decision mirrors an earlier ruling against former KMTC Board Chair Prof. Philip Kaloki, who faced a similar surcharge. Although he appealed, the State Corporations Appeals Tribunal upheld the decision in July 2025. The Tribunal described the appointment as “irregular and unlawful” and directed both parties to recalculate the correct amount payable.
The Inspectorate of State Corporations is mandated to recover funds lost through negligence or misconduct in public institutions. This latest move highlights the government’s firm stance on accountability and financial integrity in state corporations.
