Mubea quits as radical changes begin at EACC

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) deputy CEO Michael Mubea (pictured) has resigned in readiness to take up new duties as ambassador.

His exit now comes at a time the anti-graft body is on a recovery path to restore public confidence, eroded over claims of shoddy probes.

At the same time, EACC Chief Executive Twalib Mbarak is reported to have declined to renew the contract of Director Finance and Planning Jennipher Kimani.

A staff internal communication by the Human Resource acting assistant director Ellyjoy Bundi, dated July 1, states the changes after the exit of Mubea and Kimani.

“This is to communicate the following staff changes. Mubea- deputy CEO Technical services has resigned from the commission with effect from July 1, following his appointment as ambassador,” reads the communication.

“The contract of Kimani, finance and planning director, expired on June 30. Joel Mukumu has been appointed as the acting director with effect from July, 1. Please take note of the changes.”

Meanwhile, Samuel Krop Ngolesia, a Prevention Officer I, was summarily dismissed over allegations of submitting fake academic papers while Richard Pkemei Topilla, a driver was sacked over bribery claims.

The disciplinary committee sat two weeks ago and recommended the said action after Ngolesia allegedly failed to honour summons while evidence against Topilla was overwhelming.

Mubea, who was nominated for ambassadorial appointment by President Uhuru Kenyatta in May, tendered his resignation last week after he was endorsed by the National Assembly. He will be Kenya’s ambassador to Dublin.

During vetting by the Defence and Foreign Relations Committee of the National Assembly chaired by Katoo Ole Metito (Kajiado South), he was accused of inefficiency but he denied the claims.

Legislators accused him of being the ‘Mr Fix It” at the commission.

Yatta MP Charles Kilonzo bluntly told Mubea that within EACC circles, he was referred to as a mafia don.

“Why is it that all these allegations are directed at you? It would appear that this appointment is a move by the government to get you out of EACC,” Mr Kilonzo asked.

But Mubea denied the allegations.