Ezra Chiloba the suspended Director General for the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has officially resigned. According to a circular from CA, Mr Chiloba resigned yesterday, 18 October 2023. The CA board under the leadership of the Chairperson Ms. Mary Mungai has formally accepted his resignation. Christopher Wambua continues to serve as the acting Director General.
“I wish the outgoing Director General success in his future endeavours and appreciate his invaluable contribution to the organization and the wider ICT sector,” wrote the CA Board Chairperson.
Last month, Mr. Chiloba was summarily suspended by the board. This came after the board had ordered an audit into the staff mortgage scheme for the authority. The audit report recommended that Chiloba should be suspended on allegations of fraud and misuse of office. Based on the audit report, it emerged that KES 662.4 Million Staff Mortgage Scheme had been mismanaged.
Further, the audit revealed that the CA had paid KES 25 Million to purchase a house for Mr Chiloba under the staff mortgage scheme. However, it was found that the house was already owned by Mr. Chiloba. Hence, he was effectively paying himself. Additionally, the house sits on a 7-acre piece of land. Based on the Civil Servants Housing scheme requirements, a civil servant cannot purchase land beyond one acre under a housing scheme. Since then, Chiloba has refuted the claims and said he bought the house from his father.
EACC Investigates Chiloba
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has since launched investigations into the matter. Last month, the anti-corruption watchdog wrote to the ICT regulator to formally request documentation related to the CA staff mortgage scheme.
This is not the first time Mr. Chiloba has left public office in such a manner. In 2018, he was sacked by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). At the time, an IEBC audit of the procurement for election materials had led to his suspension and later on, his termination.
It remains to be seen whether CA will look for a new DG or retain Mr. Wambua on a permanent role.
