This archive report was first published on 29 June 2020.
June 29, 2020 - A deepening power struggle has emerged at the Water Sector Trust Fund (WSTF) following the board's decision to defy its chair, Patrick Kokonya, over the sacking of CEO Ismailo Fahmy Shaiye.
Five board members have distanced themselves from Kokonya's decision, describing it as unlawful. They claim that a crucial meeting on June 23 was attended by only Kokonya and two other board members, with the rest absent due to disagreements over the chair's handling of the situation.
According to a letter signed by the five board members, including Matthew Tuitoek, Mwania Musau, Rose Muguchu, Dominic Biwitt, and Joel Onchwati, the decision to send Shaiye on terminal leave was made without their consent.
“The so-called meeting of June 23 was attended by only the chairman and two board members. The third is a member of the State Corporations Advisory Committee, who only attends to advise. All other five members did not attend as they had not concurred with the manner in which the chair was single-handedly trying to deal with the business at hand,” they said in a letter.
Water Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki had earlier vetoed the appointment of an acting CEO following Shaiye's removal. The board members have now written to Kariuki, stating that a meeting between them and the CS on June 25 decided that the CEO would remain in office until advised otherwise.
However, Kokonya has defended his decision, stating that Shaiye was not eligible for a second term after serving two terms. He also claimed that Shaiye had 40 pending leave days and should proceed on terminal leave.
