A group of activists, led by Bunge La Mwananchi’s Francis Owino, has filed a case seeking the removal of Kenya National Police DT Sacco’s Chief Executive Officer, Solomon Atsiaya.
The embattled CEO is facing serious allegations of corruption, illegalities, and circumvention of the law in his leadership of the Sacco.
In a case that has attracted national attention, the Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs, Wyckliffe Oparanya, along with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, have been included as interested parties.
The petition, presented in court, accuses Atsiaya of engaging in several questionable practices that violate the principles of good governance, transparency, and accountability.
The petitioner highlighted a series of irregularities within the Sacco, accusing the CEO of working alongside certain board members to consolidate power unlawfully.
One specific allegation concerns the suspension of elected delegates—Stephen Kiralem, Edmund Bunyasi, and Robert Odongo—after an illegal election, prompting the trio to seek legal redress at the Cooperative Tribunal.
Central to the case is the claim that Atsiaya and his allies are seeking to dominate the Sacco’s operations by removing dissenting voices, preventing proper checks, balances, and criticism.
Furthermore, the petition outlines instances of financial mismanagement, alleging that Atsiaya has wasted Sacco members’ funds for personal gain.
Notably, the acquisition of a banking system, M-TAWI, at an inflated cost of Ksh 600 million, with an annual maintenance fee of Ksh 300 million, is said to have been a complete failure.
The petition also highlights exorbitant budgetary allocations in various departments, including education, marketing, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs.
The petitioner asserts that excessive funds have been allocated for antivirus software for the malfunctioning M-TAWI system, further suggesting the need for a forensic audit to uncover any financial discrepancies.
Allegations of nepotism within the Sacco are also a focal point of the lawsuit, with claims that Atsiaya has facilitated the hiring of family members and close associates of the board of directors.
Specific examples include the employment of Timothy Okumu, brother to Director John Okumu, and Beatrice Owino, daughter-in-law to the chairman, Mr. Mategwa.
Beyond financial mismanagement, the petition alleges that Atsiaya and the Sacco board have flaunted opulent lifestyles far beyond their means, raising suspicions about the source of their wealth. Multi-million homes, luxury cars, and extravagant public displays have fueled the need for an urgent court intervention.
The petitioner also called for transparency regarding CSR initiatives led by Atsiaya, particularly the construction of the Police Sacco Stadium in South C and a gymnasium at the National Police Sacco in Kiganjo.
Additionally, an eyebrow-raising expenditure of Ksh 16.9 million for a tree-planting exercise at the DCI Headquarters in October 2023 has cast further doubt on the CEO’s handling of Sacco resources.
