Kiunjuri dissolves NGOs board, sends top official home

NGOs Coordination Board executive director Fazul Mahamed, who was on October 19, 2016 sent on compulsory leave by Devolution Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP  19th Oct.2016

 Summary

• Mr Kiunjuri said there had been numerous concerns from several quarters that Mr Mahamed did not meet the required qualifications at the time of his interview and appointment.
• NGOs council chairman Stephen Cheboi had alleged that the minister commenced the Public Benefit Organisations Act without broader consultation and stakeholders’ engagement as required.

Devolution Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri on Wednesday dissolved the board of the NGOs Coordination Board and sent its Executive Director Fazul Mahamed on compulsory leave.

Mr Kiunjuri then appointed the board's Deputy Director Mohamed Yussuf as the acting executive director.

Mr Kiunjuri said there had been numerous concerns from several quarters that Mr Mahamed did not meet the required qualifications at the time of his interview and appointment.

“I have today decided that he proceeds on leave immediately until the matter is investigated,” the minister said.

The dissolution of the board came just three days after the National Council of NGOs demanded that Mr Kiunjuri step aside over corruption allegations.

NGOs council chairman Stephen Cheboi had alleged that the minister commenced the Public Benefit Organisations Act without broader consultation and stakeholders’ engagement as required.

Mr Cheboi also referred to an affidavit allegedly signed and submitted to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission by a foreign aid worker, Delphine Bram Christopher, accusing the Cabinet secretary of bribery.