The National Treasury, on Monday, May 23, reinstated the Insurance Regulatory Authority Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Godfrey Kiptum days after he was sent on compulsory leave by the authority.
Kiptum was sent on compulsory leave on May 19, to give room for investigations into alleged irregularities in procurement at the authority.
However, a memo signed by the National Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo ordered that Kiptum remains in office as the treasury consults with the board to determine a way forward.
“It has been brought to our attention that in your capacity as chairman of the board of the IRA, you have communicated to staff regarding the leave of the chief executive officer with effect on Friday, May 19, 2023.
“It has been decided that the CEO Mr Godfrey Kiptum, Commissioner of Insurance or CEO remains in office pending necessary consultations,” the order from the treasury read in part.
PS Kiptoo stated that the treasury required more time to look into the matter because of the critical role IRA played in the insurance industry.
“In view of the critical role IRA plays in the insurance industry and to enable the National Treasury enough time to understand circumstances surrounding the decision by the board to send the CEO on leave,” Kiptoo added in the memo.
Earlier, the board chairman Mwamba Mabonga stated that a special meeting resolved that the CEO had accrued leave days.
The Mabonga-led board had also appointed an interim CEO Monica Thirima, a senior manager at the institution.
"Unless there is something you are hiding, every public officer must take leave. We, the board, have decided that senior manager of consumer protection Monica Thirima will serve in an interim capacity," Mabonga stated.
The move came as the National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung’u formally appointed Yasin Haji Hussein, Ambrose Makanga Ngari, Joel K. Chemiron, and Immaculate Shamalla as members of the IRA after the appointment of 4 independent directors was revoked.
CS Ndung'u revoked the appointments of Annette Kithi, Muchiri Mithamo, Njenga Mwangi, and Fauzia Arale on May 18.
