State agency’s board in trouble with legislators for firing acting director
By Mercy.Mwai, May 15, 2023
The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) board has been faulted for allegedly sacking acting Director-General Beatrice Nyamwamu who was expected to appear before MPs to respond to questions relating to irregular financial dealings at the authority.
Members of the House Public Investments Committee on Social Services, Administration and Agriculture said the failure by the board to renew her contract raises questions as to whether her sacking was meant to scuttle the committee’s consideration of audit queries raised by the Auditor General as well as exonerate her from any wrongdoing.
Nyamwamu, who had acted for a year, was allegedly sacked a day before her scheduled appearance before the House committee to respond to the audit queries and was replaced by Willis Audi.
Committee members refused to listen to Audi on grounds that he had taken over the position only a day before he appeared before them.
The committee is considering the report of Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu for the 2018/19 financial year, which has at least 40 audit queries touching on questionable financial and land dealings.
The committee chaired by Emanuel Wangwe (Navakholo) sought to know from AFA board chaired by former Aldai MP Cornelly Serem why they did not renew Nyamwamu’s contract to allow her appear before the committee.
Jackson Kosgei (Nominated) asked whether it was true that since the Crops Act came into force in 2014, the authority had had at least five acting Directors-General whose tenure have ranged from two months to six months with the exception of Nyamwamu’s one year.
Said Kosgei: “Mr board chairman, you look like a spectator in this matter. Did you ever engage the ministry to have Nyamwamu’s contract extended so that she clears with this committee on the issues raised by the Auditor-General?”
Wangwe vowed that the committee would get to the bottom of the matter at the Authority to ensure that public resources are used prudently.
“This has been a very difficult parastatal. We have issues to do with fraud, misappropriation of funds and because we want to be done with you before we write our report on June 20 , I want you to appear before this committee on June 14 and 15 so that we can close on your case. We are not going to let you off on this one,” he said.