Kenya Films and Classification Board CEO Ezekiel Mutua, the self-declared moral cop, was on Friday asked to proceed on a terminal leave, until the expiry of his term. The move has thrown a spanner in the works for Mr Mutua, who was scheming to get another term at KFCB. His second term contract is due to expire on 25th October 2021.
Mr Christopher Wambua from Communications Authority of Kenya was appointed to replace him in acting capacity, for a period of two months. “Kindly accord him (Wambua) the necessary support,” the memo signed by the Chief Corporate Affairs Manager, Mr Paskal Opiyo, said.
The new KFCB boss, Christopher Wambua, served as the Director of Communications and Public Affairs at the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), a position he ascended to in 2015.
Mr Mutua was first appointed to the position in October 2015, and reappointed three years later. Being sent on leaves his fate at KFCB in limbo and his future in government remains unclear.
His exit follows a report to the State Corporations Advisory Committee (SCAC) that the KFCB board met on 30th June to deliberate on the renewal of the CEO, which was unprocedural.
“The board of KFCB knowingly convened to deliberate and make a determination on a matter that is already predetermined as not feasible,” ICT CS Joe Mucheru said in a confidential letter regarding the matter.
The board was also accused of preventing the Inspector General of State Corporations from performing his duties, denying him an opportunity to take part in a board meeting contrary to Section (18) 2 of the State Corporation Act (Cap.446). “Any decision made towards renewal of the CEO’s contract for a third term is illegal and void,” Mr Mucheru stated.
Mr Mutua, a vocal critic of sexual content, had earlier dismissed reports that he had been fired, saying there was no vacancy at the office of the KFCB CEO. Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jr also came to Mutua’s defense arguing he had been dismissed unlawfully.
