FROM MORAL COP TO SUSPECT

Former Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) CEO Dr Ezekiel Mutua was sent on compulsory leave this week pending his eventual exit from the State parastatal on October 25.

But he is not a happy man as his tweet reveals. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is investigating his tenure in office. He wrote this on Twitter “I am not aware of such development and there can be no grain of truth on them as there’s no vacancy in the office of the CEO KFCB.”

The EACC is looking at alleged increment of salaries and allowances of senior staff of KFCB. It told the KFCB chairperson to provide files relating to that as well as its Human Resource Policy and Procedure manual. Paschal Mweu of EACC wrote to KFCB to give information and documents that will shed light on investigations about irregular payment of salaries and allowances at the board.

Dr Mutua and Ms Gathoni Kungu, a board member of KFCB are being probed by EACC for claims of getting irregular remunerations.

Mr Christopher Wambua has been appointed to act as KFCB CEO after Dr Mutua was shown the door. Wambua was poached from the Communications Authority where he was serving as the communications and public affairs director.

In an internal memo, Mr Paskal Opiyo who is the acting manager of Corporate Services at KFCB announced that Wambua’s role will take effect immediately. “This is to inform you that Christopher Wambua has been appointed the acting CEO with effect from August 6. Kindly accord him the necessary support,” he said.

On June 30, the State Corporations Advisory Committee (SCAC) wrote to Information CS Joe Mucheru recommending disciplinary action to be taken against KFCB board and Dr Ezekiel Mutua to exit the parastatal.

Mutua has been at the helm of KFCB since 2015 where he has cut an image of being a moral policeman for the content churned by the mass media and ordinary citizens.

Makueni senator Mutula Kilonzo Jr disputed the removal of Ezekiel Mutua as KFCB CEO. “Ezekiel Mutua was unlawfully removed by CS Mucheru as CEO after being lawfully appointed by the Board. Laws are mere suggestions for this administration”, he wrote on his official Twitter account.

Terminal leave

Earlier, ICT CS Joe Mucheru had directed KFCB to appoint an acting CEO who will manage the institution as Mutua went for terminal leave awaiting retirement on October 25 2021.

Mucheru had blamed Mutua and the KFCB Chairperson for removing an Inspector General of State Corporations during the board’s meeting on June 30 which he said was against State Corporation Act.

Mucheru held that the auditor was denied access to the board proceedings and there was need to take administrative measures to recover irregular salaries and allowances paid to some top managers at the KFCB. “Necessary measures be taken against the outgoing CEO, board chairperson and members of KFCB who prevented the Inspector General of State Corporations from carrying out lawful duties,” said the ICT CS.

Mucheru also sought the National Treasury’s help in monitoring the financial conduct of the board until it fully complies with Public Finance Management Act.

Story By MUSYOKA NGUI