End of the Road for Kimosop as KVDA Board send him packing

Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA) MD David Kimosop (Right) explains a point to Italian investors Maurizio Ruggeri (2nd Right), Guiseppe Volta (2nd Left) and Ricardo Fanelli (Left) at the Moi University Dairy Farm in Uasin Gishu. A consortium of Italian investors will put up a Model Value Chain Dairy Project on a 300 acre piece of land. 29-07-2015.[Kevin Tunoi/Standard]

Embattled Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA) managing director, David Kimosop was yesterday sacked after a daylong board meeting.

The board, chaired by former Keiyo South MP Jackson Kiptanui, resolved to end Kimosop’s seven-year tenure at the helm of the Authority after a stormy special board meeting at KVDA Plaza in Eldoret.

He was replaced by his deputy, Francis Kipkech in an acting capacity as the board begins the search for a new Managing Director (MD).

The sacking was an anti-climax for Kimosop who was first appointed to the Authority in 2012 by the then regional development minister, Fred Gumo.

The former banker was appointed to the helm of KVDA after he emerged top during interviews and vetting conducted by the board, which was then chaired by Joyce Emanikor.

Term renewed

His term was renewed for another three years in April 2015 under the then environment and natural resources cabinet secretary, Judy Wakhungu.

Kimosop’s term has been in contention after his second three-year tenure lapsed in April 2018 with the board and the parent ministry differing on whether to grant him another tenure.

Following the board’s request, Kimosop was on April last year granted a six-month tenure extension at KVDA to allow the board undertake the process of recruiting a new MD.

The deputy head of public service, Wanyama Musiambo, advised against the renewal of the MD’s term for another four years saying it was against public service guidelines.

In a letter dated May 26, former Keiyo South MP Jackson Kiptanui said he convened yesterday’s meeting following a circular from the Ministry of East Africa Community and Regional Development directing the board to address the tenure of the MD. In February, KVDA was caught up in corruption claims revolving around two multi-billion dams at Arror and Kimwarer in Elgeyo Marakwet.