Josiah Moriasi was kicked out as Youth Enterprise Development Fund Chief Executive Officer despite having a good record at the helm of the body.
The Standard on Saturday, May 2, 2020 reported that the former CEO was ousted despite performance evaluation reports from 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 indicating that he had scored 86 and 89 per cent respectively.
Moriasi was shown the door after a popular vote by the youth fund board went in favour of his removal as CEO on April 27, 2020.
Following his removal, ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru immediately moved to appoint Benson Muthindi as the new CEO, though on an acting capacity.
Muthindi was the Youth Fund's public relation's manager prior to his elevation to the helm of the body.
Moriasi in an interview on May 2, voiced concerns at the manner with which his sacking had been handled, alluding that the matter was likely to move to court.
“The board resorted to voting, a move that can be challenged. The influencing of board members to vote in a certain direction is regrettable and unacceptable. This matter should be handled in a proper way. The coming days will be critical for the organisation,” Moriasi stated.
The board, however, acknowledged that the former CEO had played a major role, and was key to the milestones achieved by the fund since its establishment.
Moriasi was is in charge of the overall leadership and management of the operations of the fund. He was responsible for the setting and executing of the overall business strategy as well as programmes in support of the Fund’s strategic direction.
He was appointed to head the body on November 1, 2016. Among the many merits considered in his appointment, he was selected for his extensive experience in corporate governance, performance management, human relations and development, change management, investment, project monitoring and evaluation, pension scheme management, guidance and counselling, democracy and governance, and corporate leadership.
Moriasi had previously worked for 7 years with the Lake Victoria South Water Services Board in various capacities and most recently as the chief manager in charge of corporate planning. He has also served at the Kenya Institute of Bankers and as a lecturer at various institutions of higher learning.
His replacement, Muthendi, was among the founders of the fund, back in 2007. He has extensive experience in youth development and community education and outreach.
