The Cabinet Secretary for Information Communication Technology (ICT) Joe Mucheru has confirmed the exit of Ezekiel Mutua from the helm of the Kenya Film and Classification Board (KFCB).
Speaking exclusively to Kenyans.co.ke, Mucheru said Mutua's role as the Chief Executive Officer of the parastatal comes to an end on Friday, August 6.
Effectively, the CS appointed Communications Authority of Kenya's (CAK) Director of Communications and External Affairs, Christopher Wambua, as the new CEO. Wambua would act on a temporary capacity.
Mucheru added that he would release a detailed statement before Saturday, August 7, to officially announce Mutua’s exit. The former KFCB CEO was asked to proceed on terminal leave on the expiry of his second term.
“I have not yet released any statement as the appointment was between the employee and the employer. I wonder why people rush to make statements on social media. If they want to politicise the appointment then I am happy to give them the freedom to do so," Mucheru told Kenyans.co.ke.
“I don't have any further comments to make,” the CS stated in reference to the Twitter row between Ezekiel Mutua and Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Junior.
Mutula was among the first to announce that Mutua had been ousted from his managerial post. However, he took a swipe at CS Mucheru claiming that the CS unlawfully removed Mutua who was lawfully appointed by the KFCB board.
“Laws are mere suggestions for this administration (Jubilee),” Mutula castigated. Dr Mutua also issued a statement refuting reports alleging that he was fired.
"My attention has been drawn to reports on social media to the effect that I have been fired as CEO of KFCB. PLEASE IGNORE such malicious rumours. I am not aware of such developments and there can be no grain of truth in them as there's no vacancy in the office of the CEO KFCB," Mutua stated.
The Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC) also launched a probe after Mutua was accused of receiving irregular payments in terms of salaries and allowances. In the statement dated May 6, EACC stated that a board member, Ms Gathoni Kungu was also under investigation.
KFCB was asked to provide personal files of the two officials, all payments of salaries and allowances including payslips and payment vouchers, human resource policy and procedures manual guiding the increment of salaries and allowances.
Christopher Wambua
Wambua has served as CAK Director of Communications and External Affairs for six years since 2015. Prior to his promotion as director, he was the Assistant Director, Multimedia Content & Innovation for a period of one year and six months starting April 2014.
He was also the Communication Manager and Assistant Public Relations Manager for 13 years.
Wambua holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Mass Communication from the University of Nairobi, a Master of Arts (M.A.) in International Studies from the same university and a Bachelor of Education (History and Literature from Kenyatta University.
