Youth Fund board vows not to let Wario take office

By James Ratemo

A standoff looms at the Sh2.75 billion worth Youth Fund with the board vowing not to let reinstated CEO Umuro Wario take office.

The board instructed Fund employees to ignore Mr Wario’s directives even as they attempted to physically throw him out of office.

Activities came to a stand still at the office as Wario brought in two police officers to assure his security.

Youth Assistant Minister Wavinya Ndeti and Acting PS J K Soi had to intervene to restore order. "The board does not recognise the reinstatement of Wario as CEO of the Youth Fund...the staff are cautioned that any communication or directives from Wario are without the authority of the board... For the avoidance of doubt, Mr Ture Boru continues to undertake the duties of acting CEO," read the board’s letter in part.

Watched drama

Ms Ndeti called on Wario to keep off office until Youth Minister Hellen Sambili returns to the country to resolve the stalemate.

When The Standard visited the office, no work was on as employees watched the drama unfold.

The employees were left at a loss on whose directions to follow between Wario and Boru. In a letter, the PS directed Wario to wait until stalemate is resolved before he resumes office.

But a defiant Wario claimed malice on the side of the board and vowed to stay put until he gets direction from Prof Sambili.

Board Chairperson, Hellen Tombo claimed the Minister had overstepped her mandate by reinstating Wario against the board’s recommendations.