This archive report was first published on 5 January 2022.
Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KALPA) officials are at odds over the use of funds, with a top official accused of using the association's funds for private activities.
According to a memo dated December 12, 2021, by Kalpa treasurer John Matheka, the General Secretary Murithi Nyagah is accused of interfering with the association's finances in his bid to control the finances.
Matheka's memo, which has been downplayed by Nyagah, alleges that Nyagah requested $10,000 for an alleged media activation, which Matheka strongly objected to.
The treasurer also claims that there has been a contentious issue of some officials colluding to evade paying taxes, which has put the association in a difficult operating situation.
Matheka stated in the memo that since he came into office after the April 2021 elections, he has made insistence on making good of tax obligations, but there have been acts of tax evasion by the officials concerned.
Documents seen by The EastAfrican reveal that different individuals were paid allowances since 2018, which may have attracted tax liability at a rate of 30 percent, penalties, and interest.
The treasurer also questioned how office funds were spent in entertainment joints and Airbnbs without committee approval.
Matheka claimed that funds have been misused for personal reasons, including paying Airbnbs for nefarious activities and purchases of items at different hardware stores.
Though the memo did not state how much was lost, the treasurer tabulated a number of cases where such funds have been misused.
When contacted, Nyagah distanced himself from the memo, saying he has never seen such a communication and that he is not comfortable discussing association matters in public.
