Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has rejected claims that he interfered in the appointment of the Secretary for Health, describing allegations circulating on social media and WhatsApp forums as false, misleading and damaging to the integrity of public institutions.
The Prime Minister said recent public statements made by Dr Gideon Kendino had wrongly suggested that the appointment process was sabotaged or improperly influenced.
He said he was compelled to respond because the claims directly questioned his personal integrity, the integrity of the Office of the Prime Minister, and the independence of established public service processes.
“I wish to state categorically that these allegations are false,” Prime Minister Marape said. He said that in his six years as Prime Minister — and since first becoming a Minister in 2008 — he has never interfered in public service appointment processes.
“I have never called the Secretary for Personnel Management, the Chairman of the Public Service Commission, or any commissioner to influence shortlisting or appointments,” he said.
Prime Minister Marape said senior public service appointments under his leadership, including those in the education, finance and health sectors, have followed due process, with vacancies advertised, applications assessed by the Department of Personnel Management and the Public Service Commission (PSC), and shortlisted names submitted to Cabinet for collective decision.
He clarified that during the Health Secretary appointment process, he raised a question only after reviewing the PSC submission presented to Cabinet, querying why the acting officer was not included on the shortlist.
The PSC, he said, provided its explanation, citing discrepancies in documentation, including conflicting dates of birth recorded in official records. Based on these inconsistencies, the PSC determined that the officer did not meet the requirements to proceed to the final shortlist.
“This was a decision made by the Public Service Commission, not a political decision,” the Prime Minister said.
He outlined that the established process involves an initial assessment of candidates, progression of five names, and the submission of three shortlisted candidates by the PSC to Cabinet for consideration.
“At no stage did I add, remove, substitute or influence any name on that shortlist,” he said.
Prime Minister Marape said Cabinet decisions are made collectively and transparently, with each Minister voting independently.
“Cabinet processes under my watch have changed dramatically,” he said.
“There is far more transparency in this Cabinet than in many Cabinets before us.”
He said that although the Office of the Prime Minister is constitutionally powerful, he has deliberately limited his influence within Cabinet.
“The Prime Minister chairs Cabinet, but I have reduced my role to just one vote among 38 other ministers,” he said.“I do not bulldoze decisions in Cabinet.”
In the Health Secretary appointment, Prime Minister Marape said a vote was taken, debate was allowed, and the outcome reflected the will of Cabinet. He said Mr Pascoe Kase received majority support, while the other shortlisted candidates also received votes.
Claims that Ministers were “shouted down” or that candidates were removed at his direction, he said, were untrue.
The Prime Minister expressed concern that unverified claims were being amplified through informal digital platforms, causing confusion and reputational harm within the National Department of Health and related agencies.
Such misinformation, he said, undermines public confidence in institutions and unfairly places public servants under suspicion.
Prime Minister Marape said legal advice has been sought and that Dr Kendino will be formally required to explain the basis of his claims and the source of his information.
“As Prime Minister, I respect institutions, due process and majority decisions,” he said.” At times my views may be in the minority, but that is democracy at work.”
He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to lawful, transparent governance and to upholding the integrity of public service appointment processes in the national interest.