CEOs and Top Bosses Fired by Ruto's Administration in 2023

Several top officials faced the axe in 2023 as President William Ruto intensified the purge against graft in various sectors.

One of the biggest victims of the purge was Dr Josephine Mburu whose appointment as the Principal Secretary, State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards was terminated by President Ruto.

The termination was made following complaints of corruption and mismanagement at the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA).

KEMSA CEO

KEMSA CEO Terry Ramadhani was also dragged into the National Malaria Programme scandal. 

She was equally suspended alongside other individuals including ministry of Health staff (Martin Wamwea, Lenson Kariuki, Dr Pauline Duya, Livingstone Njuguna, Dr Charles Kariuki, Justus Kinoti, Cosmas Rotich and Anthony Chege).

"His Excellency has been briefed on the complaints of alleged impropriety within the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) in its management and administration of various medical programmes being undertaken in conjunction with our development partners.

“The complaints follow the regular verification of expenditure by the Global Fund with regard to the National Malaria Programme that targets millions of low-income Kenyan households within our nation's malaria-endemic regions," the termination letter shared by Chief of Staff Felix Koskei read in part.

KEBS Managing Director

Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) Managing Director Bernard Njiraini was fired after condemned sugar was released into the market in May

Njiraini was first grilled regarding the condemned sugar valued at Ksh163 million before his sacking.

The sugar in question was imported to the country in 2018 but was flagged by KEBS for want of expiry date specification.

Kebs marked the 20,000-50 kg bags of sugar as unfit for human consumption.

It then directed that it be destroyed at the owner's cost by either burning or burying.

But it was later decided that the consignment be considered for industrial ethanol use, which was to be implemented under the joint supervision of KEBS and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), within a multi-agency framework.

However, the condemned sugar was released into the market causing a storm in the country which compelled President Ruto to act.

Ezra Chiloba

In September Ezra Chiloba was suspended as the Director General of the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA).

Chiloba, who previously served as IEBC CEO, was appointed as Director General of the CA in September 2021. He was set to hold the position for a 4-year renewable term.

However, he was shown the door following corruption and procurement allegations that were levelled against his office.

"Following a meeting of the Authority's Board held on 18th September 2023, resulting in the suspension of the Director General, I am pleased to inform all staff of the appointment of Mr Christopher Wambua as a Director General in Acting Capacity effective today until further notice," an internal memo read in part.

Six CEOs Suspended at Once

In November, Ruto's Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei ordered for the suspension of six CEOs at once over alleged corruption and procurement irregularities in their institutions.

The six executives included Fredrick Mwamati (CEO, Tanathi Water Works Development Agency), Stephen Ogenga (DG, National Industrial Training Authority), Stanvas Ong’alo (Acting DG, National Museums of Kenya), Benjamin Kai Chilumo (CEO, Huduma Centre Secretariat), Peter Gitaa Koria (CEO, Bomas of Kenya) and Eng. Anthony Wamukota (GM, Design & Construction, KETRACO).

Ong’alo is under investigation for involvement in the misappropriation of Ksh490 million through irregular payments while Mwamati is currently under investigation for suspected procurement irregularities related to the tender award for the construction of a Leather Industrial Park Water Supply Project.

Ogenga is being probed for alleged procurement irregularities concerning a tender award for supplies at NITA whereas Chilumo is facing corruption allegations from his tenure as the Chief Finance Officer in the County Government of Kilifi.

Wamukota was suspended to pave the way for the investigations involving procurement irregularities related to the construction contract of the 400KV Loiyangalani Power Project.

KBC Managing Director

In December, ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo suspended Kenya Broadcasting Corporation Managing Director Samuel Maina.

The MD was accused of committing the government to pay US$5 billion in arbitration without seeking the approval of the Ministry, National Treasury and the office of the Attorney General and Department of Justice.

In a letter dated 18th December 2023, KBC instructed Matthew Vinal of Dentons UK Middle East LLP to offer Channel 2 Group Corporation US$5 billion in full and final settlement of the matter referred to as (LCIA Arbitration No 12223: Channel 2 Group Corporation versus Kenya Broadcasting Corporation).

“Maina should proceed on suspension immediately and disciplinary action instituted against him by the board,” Owalo stated.

“I appoint Paul Macharia, currently the communication Economic Expert at the National Communications Secretariat as the acting MD with effect from 19th December 2023 for a period of six months or upon appointment of substantive Chief Executive Officer,” he added.