This archive report was first published on 23 September 2019.
Stalemate at NSSF Over New CEO Appointment ¶
Published on September 23, 2019
The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) board of trustees, chaired by Julius Karangi, has been embroiled in a controversy over the appointment of a new CEO.
According to sources, the board advertised the position for the managing trustee in April 2019, with the successful candidate to be responsible for the day-to-day running of the fund, formulating a clear strategy, and setting agreed tasks and targets.
The qualifications for the position included being a Kenya citizen, holding a master's degree in insurance, law, accounting, or actuarial science, and having less than 10 years of working experience at a managerial level.
Applications were made, and interviews were held, with the top five candidates being Omerikwa, David Buyo, Nyakundi, Henry Kianda, and James Kimani.
However, instead of forwarding one name to the ministry for consideration, Karangi is pushing for the top five candidates, leading to a stalemate at NSSF.
Our investigations reveal that Karangi and Mutugi, a Kikuyu, are favouring a Kikuyu to be in charge, but the NSSF Act requires only one name to be presented to the ministry.
Weekly Citizen has information that Karangi's leadership at NSSF has been causing ripples, with the office of the Auditor-General questioning his many foreign trips at the cost of Kenya workers.
A source at the Auditor-General's office revealed that Karangi has used over Sh10 million on foreign trips since he became the NSSF chair.
Information we have is that Karangi was removed as the board chair of Kenya Airports Authority after he influenced the supply of faulty security machines, which are currently under investigation.
It has emerged that Karangi is not as powerful in the corridors of power as many think, and his appointment as NSSF chair has been seen as a way to pass time.
