Wrangles rock Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Organisation

George Njunge

Donor funds and control of property are at the heart of a vicious fight within Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Organisation (MYWO) where two factions have locked horns.

A faction led by Shurea Robley has accused the organisation's chairperson Rahab Mwikali of alleged lack of transparency on the book of accounts and clinging on leadership despite her term having expired.

“Rahab has never submitted audited accounts since 2014 when she took office, secondly, their chair is supposed to serve for a maximum of two terms yet she is on her term," claimed Robley who demanded for a detailed account of rental income estimated to be about Sh35 million.

With a membership of 4 million, the wrangles are threatening to tear apart the organisation whose main agenda is socio-economic and political empowerment of women. 

There are also allegations of donor flight due to absence of transparency and accountability. Some of the donor funded programmes that have since stopped include education of the girl child funded by the Chinese government, HIV/Aids and FGM funds from United Nations Population Fund, and funds from United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) geared towards curbing high school drop-outs.

At the same time Robley accused Mwikali of unfairly sacking some staff who went to court that ruled in their favour.

When reached for comment Mwikali denied existence of squabbles. “Shurea is not a member of this organisation having been removed in 2019, through a decision made in an Annual General Meeting. We have been in the media highlighting what we do and there is no any squabble," she said.

However a letter seen by The Standard written by Shabaan's advocates to MYWO painted a picture of trouble in the organisation due to financial mismanagement.

“We look upon your office to take action upon all the illegal activities taking place in Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Organisation and cause the current holders to vacate office, compel the organization to have a well organized Annual General Meeting, organize fresh elections and have external and internal audits conducted on the books of accounts,” reads the letter.