Multi-million graft probe catches up with KBC top managers

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is investigating Kenya Broadcasting Corporation’s (KBC) top management  for abuse of office and misappropriation of funds.

The officials who include former Managing Director Waithaka Waihenya, Deputy Managing Director Paul Jilani, Daniel Okoth and Mrs. P Mogaka were directed to present themselves at DCI headquarters on August 21 for grilling.

Business Today could not immediately establish how much money was lost and whether the four were questioned on Tuesday considering it was a public holiday.

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Mr. Waihenya’s contract expired in October 2017. He did not seek an extension and the board appointed Mr. Jilani to replace the latter in acting capacity.

Waihenya succesion

The company has since advertised for the position and is in the process of shortlisting suitable candidates.

Mr. Waihenya’s succesion was also marred by controversy after Nairobi lawyer Suyianka Lempaa, a former KBC employee sued PriceWaterHouse Coopers (PWC), the company contracted to hire a new MD after his quest to seek information on the recruitment process was ignored.

He is among those who were eyeing the job.

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The investigations come months after ICT cabinet secretary Joe Mucheru hit out at senior editorial and other section managers as he criticised the manner the media house utilises its finances as well as the conduct of general operations.

Masts

One of the key questions that the CS raised but did not get adequate response was on failure to expand coverage of the Signet signal across the country.

According to insiders, KBC was allocated funds to put up 10 masts across the country in the last financial year but it only set up six.

The management could not account for Ksh90 million on the sites that were left incomplete.

At the time, Mr. Waihenya was in charge of the troubled broadcaster.

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The CS revealed plans to effect massive changes at the national broadcaster, a task he is likely to place on the shoulders of the new MD.