Just hours after we published an exclusive report detailing an ongoing leadership shake-up at Crown Paints Kenya Plc , new allegations have surfaced pointing to deeper internal tensions and fresh concerns about governance at the regional paint manufacturer. More insider claims emerge at Crown Paints, pointing to unresolved tensions and controversial decisions within top management.
Additional information from company insiders suggests that the internal conflict, initially characterized by the sudden departure of several senior managers, may also involve attempts to interfere with pending legal matters tied to a former employee.
While the first wave of exits affected heads of departments across marketing, HR, audit, transport, customer service, and business development, the new revelations have cast a spotlight on actions allegedly being taken behind the scenes by Group Chief Operating Officer Richard Muturi.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Muturi is said to be pushing for the withdrawal of criminal charges against a former employee who was dismissed for presenting forged academic documents and securing a senior role under false pretenses.
The company had reportedly taken steps to initiate recovery of emoluments paid to the former employee over a three-year period and had handed the case to law enforcement.
However, insiders claim that efforts are now underway to terminate the proceedings, allegedly due to personal ties between the dismissed employee and the GCOO.
These latest claims, which come amid ongoing unease over leadership realignments within the organization, appear to deepen the sense of mistrust and uncertainty across multiple levels of the company.
Staff morale is said to be deteriorating, with employees citing fears of further purges, internal divisions, and a leadership vacuum following the sidelining of longstanding Group CEO Dr. Rakesh Rao in key operational functions.
Observers say the situation has intensified perceptions of factionalism at the highest levels of management. "The story of Crown Paints K Plc is incomplete without mentioning the theatrics of the GCOO Mr Richard Muturi. While he is busy wrecking people's careers built over years, he is also involved in awkward machinations. He is trying to unilaterally terminate criminal proceedings of a lady (Roselyn Modani) who was terminated from employment for forged certificates, both university degree and other certificates, and fraudulently obtained employment earning a significant salary as Business Development Manager in the construction division. The management resolved to terminate her employment and handed her over to the police to sue her for criminal charges. The company also sought to recover or get reimbursement of all her emoluments paid for about three years in employment. Now, because she is his girlfriend, he has put the Chief Security Manager under intense pressure to terminate the proceedings against her (Roselyn Modani) with immediate effect. And this is the man who dreams he can succeed Dr Rakesh Rao, the icon of paints? He is taking advantage of the current vacuum in HR to play dirty games, but all the workers' eyes are watching. Wonders will never cease. Please, Cyprian, I beg you, keep my identity anonymous."