Government Refutes Claims of Peter Mbae’s Resignation from GDU

The Government Delivery Unit (GDU) has released a statement clarifying reports regarding the resignation of the unit’s head, Peter Mbae.

In the statement, the unit dismissed claims that Mbae had only recently resigned, as reported by several media houses, and clarified that he left office over six months ago, on July 11, 2024.

They explained that his departure followed the dissolution of the Cabinet, which removed then Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria from office, along with his staff.

“Peter Mbae ceased being an employee of the Government Delivery Services (GDS) on July 11, 2024, following the dissolution of the Cabinet, as his tenure at GDS was tied to the portfolio of the then Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Performance and Delivery Management, Hon. Moses Kuria,” part of the statement read.

“It is therefore misleading and inaccurate to portray his departure as a resignation occurring in January 2025. A formal communication with regards to the end of his contract was made to him on the 24th of July 2024 by the then Principal Secretary in charge of the State Department for Performance and Delivery Management.”

The statement went on to reveal that Mr Lee Kyonze had been serving in the acting capacity of Head of the GDU since July 12, 2024.

However, Dr Mbae told Kenyans.co.ke that he stood by his stance that he resigned via a letter to the Chief of Staff, dated January 9.

He further noted that the issues outlined in his resignation letter represented a much bigger concern, and he did not want them “watered down by unfounded opinions.”

“The notice does not have a name for the undersigned, and therefore I cannot respond to it. I can only respond to HOPS (Head of Public Service),” he said.

He also explained that the reason his letter was addressed to the Chief of Staff and not the GDU was that, as a senior government officer, only the Chief of Staff had the authority to deal with such matters.

In his resignation letter, Mbae outlined seemingly recurring issues that had previously been raised with the Chief of Staff but remained unresolved, which contributed to his decision to resign.

“Despite my passion, focus, and consistency, for reasons and issues that I have consistently brought to your attention and have not been resolved to date, it has not been possible to carry out my duties as intended, and my position as Head of Government Delivery Services is no longer tenable,” the letter read in part.

“In order to be accountable to the people of Kenya, given that the appointment was widely circulated, I therefore request to formally disengage from this appointment so as to pursue other interests.”