Chief atheist sacked by Central Bank, threatens to sue
By NICHOLAS KOMU, @NiqKomu nkomu@ke.nationmedia.comKenya’s chief atheist Harrison Mumia has threatened to sue the Central Bank of Kenya for Sh33 million after being sacked.
The Atheists in Kenya President has accused CBK of unlawful dismissal saying he will be moving to court this week to demand for damages.
Mr Mumia was dismissed on grounds of gross misconduct. The AIK president has however denied the accusation.
‘TWITTER COMPROMISED’
“I am saddened that the CBK is engaging in a vicious witch hunt targeting those who hold different political views on social media, which in my view is unconstitutional. I have provided CBK with evidence that my (Twitter) account was compromised.
“Even if the tweets were made my myself, a fact which I denied in my appeal, CBK is in breach of the constitution. The management of the bank should stop gagging employees’ opinions on Social Media,” Mr Mumia told the Nation.
CBK is yet to respond to queries by the Nation regarding Mr Mumia’s dismissal.
CBK initially suspended Mr Mumia from his post in the Information Technology department on half pay for three months in February last year through a show cause letter.
The bank accused him of causing reputational risk and embarrassing the bank.
Following a hearing by the bank’s disciplinary committee, CBK issued the AIK boss with a termination letter in June last year giving him 14 days to appeal.
LACKED EVIDENCE
In his appeal he insisted that his Twitter account was hacked but lacked evidence to support the claims.
“Why should I be harshly penalized for tweets that were not mine, that allegedly demonstrate my lack of political neutrality, at a time when our national leaders are building bridges politically? The decision by the bank to terminate my employment was too drastic, too extreme and too severe, with grave consequences to my life and those of my dependents,” Mr Mumia said in his appeal.
CBK however dismissed the appeal and held on to its decision to fire Mr Mumia in a letter dated January 11, 2019.
Consequently, the atheists’ society president has threatened to take legal action against CBK over his dismissal.
“I have engaged a lawyer who will move to Court this week under a certificate of urgency, citing freedom of expression and unlawful dismissal. I will seek damages of Shs 33 Million based on wrongful dismissal. I will also petition Parliament to Censure the Governor of the Central Bank, Dr. Patrick Njoroge, the HR Director, Ms. Terry Ngaga for going against the spirit of the Building Bridges initiative,” he told the Nation.
It is not the first time the AIK boss has been engaged in a disciplinary tussle with the bank.