Mismanagement of Sh662.4m at the center of Ezra Chiloba sacking
The Director General of the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), Ezra Chiloba was on Monday suspended following a board meeting for a number of reasons.
An internal memo issued by the chairperson of the board, Mary Mungai, details at least six reasons why he was shown the door.
The suspension comes two years after Chiloba was appointed to replace Francis Wangusi, who retired in 2021.
It has now emerged that mismanagement of the Sh662.4 million Staff Mortgage Scheme at the Communication Authority is at the heart of the axe that fell on Chiloba.
According to the board, there were defaults to the tune of Sh28.9 million for mortgages approved and granted without consideration of the contract term and also refinancing mortgages to the tune of Sh364.8 million for staff who lack evidence of the upgrades and improvements for their purchased and construction houses.
Also read: I fired DCI boss, Kinoti! President Ruto
The board also noted that Material Variance of more than 20% in Property Valuation between the Government and Privately Contracted Valuers.
Understatement of loan balances for former staff of the Authority and inadequate approvals of Architectural Plans/Designs for Construction Mortgage Facility, therefore exposing the authority to abuse of the facility and financial risk.
And lastly, failure to undertake timely Mortgage Insurance Protection Advance for the property.
According to his appointment letter, Chiloba was expected to serve in the position for a renewable period of four years.
Before his appointment to the CA, Chiloba was fired as chief executive officer of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission in October 2018.
At the CA, Chiloba was replaced by Christopher Wambua.
Wambua, has been the Authority’s Director Of Communications And Public Affairs since 2015.
He had, however, just returned to the CA headquarters in July from secondment to the Kenya Film Classification Board, KFCB, where he was appointed as the acting Chief Executive Officer in August 2021.
This was among the actions taken when there was an investigation into corruption allegations against the then-CEO, Ezekiel Mutua.
Also read: Willis Raburu: People wanted me fired for having dreadlocks at work