Blow to former Kenya Power boss Ben Chumo as MPs reject him

Former Kenya Power Managing Director Ben Chumo has been rejected as the Salaries and Renumeration Commission (SRC) Chairman.

The Parliamentary Committee on Vetting noted on Tuesday that he did not meet the requirements of Chapter six of the Constitution.

“The Committee also noted that the nominee did not meet the requirements of Chapter six of the Constitution and the Leadership and Integrity Act by the fact that he was on 16th July, 2018 charged in the Anti-Corruption Court, in case Acc No. 26/18 (R vs Ben Chumo & 14 others).

 “Further, the Committee considered how the provisions of Section 62 of the AntiCorruption and Economic Crimes Act would affect the nominee, as it requires that a public officer who has been charged with corruption or economic crimes should be suspended. Therefore, the nominee if approved, would find it difficult to take up the position," the report reads.

The Committee made the following recommendation:

"Having considered the suitability, capacity and integrity of the nominee, and pursuant to Article 250(2) of the Constitution, Sections 5 and 7(11) of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission Act (No. 10 of 2011) and Section 8(2) of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act No. 33 of 2011, the Committee recommends that the National Assembly REJECTS the nomination for appointment of Dr. Ben Chumo as the Chairperson of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission."

Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI arrested Chumo on suspicion of committing an economic crime and abuse of office on Saturday.

DCI detectives also arrested Beatrice Meso, the General Manager, Corporate Affairs and Company Secretary and the General Manager Regional Co-ordination Peter Mwicigi.

“They are to be charged with offences of conspiring to commit an offence of economic crime namely fraudulent acquisition of public property, aiding commission of a felony, abuse of office, willful failure to comply with the law relating to procurement among other charges,” DCI said in a tweet.