Confusion as EACC Chief Executive Officer Halakhe Waqo revokes Mubea suspension

NAIROBI, KENYA: There was confusion at the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission when CEO Halakhe Waqo revoked the suspension of his deputy Michael Mubea hours after chairman Mumo Matemu sent him on forced leave.

Matemu had sent Mubea on leave for 30 days on Monday evening over integrity issues. But on Tuesday Waqo said the 30 days suspension on allegations of integrity issues is already adverse and damaging to Mubea’s reputation.

Waqo said Matemu did not consult him or the Human Resource Management office before taking action against  Mubea.

“By a copy of this letter, I am directing the officer to report on duty and continue with his work,” said Waqo.

Many online expressed anger on the development saying the war at EACC was affecting fight against corruption.

The move was a culmination of a dispute and tension that have been building up between the commission and EACC secretariat, which Mubea has been heading.

Mubea is in charge of the entire operations of the Commission, which includes the directorates of investigations, prevention, and legal services.

Insiders said the secretariat has been operating in isolation making unilateral decisions without the knowledge of the commissioners.

There were also claims files whose cases had been reported to the commission were not acted upon by the secretariat that is in charge of investigations.

There have been numerous complaints from Kenyans that corruption files are intentionally being delayed.

Mubea joined the commission in 2013 as the deputy CEO to Waqo and prior to joining the EACC, he was a Managing Partner at Michael Daud & Associates Advocates in Nairobi, and at Wetangula, Adan, Makokha & Co. Advocates between 2008 and 2011.

At the weekend, EACC vice Chair Irene Keino said the commission had introduced a system of monitoring progress of files whose cases have been reported to them.

All staff including those in regional offices were given until Monday to give status of cases they are handling.