Mary Kilobi, wife of Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli, is vying for a government position after being selected for an interview by a government body.
On Wednesday, May 20, the selection panel for the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee (IGRTC) recruitment process published a list of candidates invited for interviews to join the committee.
The list contains 65 candidates, featuring Kilobi, with interviews planned between June 8 and June 18, 2026.
According to the panel, Kilobi and others had satisfied the preliminary criteria and were eligible for consideration for various roles within the committee.
“The Selection Panel has shortlisted 65 candidates for the position of IGRTC Member,” the panel announced in a statement.
“Pursuant to Section 11 of the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee, the Selection Panel called for applications from qualified individuals for the position of Member (7 positions) of the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee (IGRTC) in the media sector,” the statement continued.
The Member of the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee (IGRTC) is a public service role at the national level, established under the Intergovernmental Relations Act, 2012. Its purpose is to enhance coordination between the national government and county governments in Kenya.
The committee is tasked with consultation, cooperation, and coordination in the devolution process. It assists in resolving disputes and aligning policies and operations between the national government and the 47 counties.
Kilobi is a former employee of KTN, a television station owned by the Standard Group.
She graduated in Literature and Kiswahili from Makerere University in Uganda and also possesses a Master’s degree in International Relations from the University of Nairobi.
Prior to her tenure at KTN, Kilobi served as a news anchor at Uganda’s state-owned television station, the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC), where she reportedly met Atwoli.
Kilobi subsequently married in a traditional ceremony according to Luhya customs.
Should she succeed, the former news anchor will become a member of the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee (IGRTC), joining others responsible for improving coordination between the national government and county governments in Kenya.