Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen has defended ousted Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) CEO Ezekiel Mutua, saying that he gave a life line to the board.
His words come a few days after Mutua was asked to proceed on terminal leave and an acting CEO appointed, two months to the expiry of his term.
According to Murkomen, KFCB was not known to anyone and was despised before the 'moral cop' took over its leadership.
He added that despite what has happened, every parent wishes their child can be what Mr. Mutua has been preaching, (Have good morals).
"Like prophet Ezekiel whom he is named after, Ezekiel Mutua breathed life to the dry bones of Film Classification Board an institution that was hitherto unknown & despised. Though we have all fallen short of Gods glory, every parent wishes their children would be what Mutua preaches," Murkomen said on Sunday.
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Christopher Wambua, the director of public communications at the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) was appointed Acting KFCB CEO for a period of two months.
[Ezekiel Mutua]
Reports indicated that Mutua's removal from office could be due to an ongoing investigation by the Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC) regarding claims of irregular payments made to him by KFCB, during his tenure as CEO.
In a letter dated May 6, 2021, EACC wrote to the KFCB Chairman seeking documents and information to aid with the investigation against Mutua and another Board Member named Gathoni Kungu.
Some of the documents sought by EACC included personal files of the two officers, pay slips and payment vouchers for monies paid to the two officers and HR policy on salary increment among others.
“Our Commission is Investigating allegations of irregular payments of salaries and allowances to the institution's CEO Dr Ezekiel Mutua and a Board Member Ms Gathoni Kungu. ..Our officer Dr Mnjala and F. Abdi will be available to receive the documents and record a statement,” EACC’s statement read in part.