Concern over two senior officials abrupt exit from Tourism Fund
By Noel Wandera, July 3, 2020
Two high ranking officers at the Tourism Trust Fund (TTF) have resigned under unclear circumstances.
Chief executive Joseph Cherutoi and director, corporate services Eric Kiplagat tendered their resignation on June 26 and are serving their mandatory three months notice.
The board of trustees chairman Alfonse Kioko acknowledged receipt of the duo’s resignation, with the board meeting to appoint an acting chief executive.
“The Board of Trustees will meet on July 1 to deliberate on these new developments and appoint Acting CEO pending substantive appointment,” said Kioko, who promised to issue a more comprehensive statement yesterday.
Cherutoi’s resignation comes on the background of an announcement by Toursim and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala that the sector has so far lost Sh80 billion in revenues as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
He projected that the sector will earn a paltry Sh48.9 billion in 2020, a 70 per cent decline from the Sh163 billion earned in 2019.
TTF is a State corporation established in 2012 mandated to mobilise resources to finance the development of the tourism industry and is a legal successor to the catering and tourism development levy trustees.
Some of the projects that have benefitted from the fund include Kenya Utalii College and Ronald Ngala Utalii College.
It is not clear yet what led to the resignation of the two officials. However, there is a general feeling that Balala is dissatisfied by lack of delivery at the ministry that boasts 12 parastatals.