It has emerged that the CEO of the Nairobi Ward Development Fund (WDF), has been biding her time within the halls of City Hall ever since her abrupt 'removal' from office in July.
The revelation surfaced during the scrutiny of Boroughs Administration executive Patrick Mbogo and Acting County Secretary Patrick Analo by the County Assembly’s Labour Committee.
The MCAs aimed to ascertain the details surrounding the CEO's dismissal and the subsequent appointment of another individual in an acting capacity.
The city ward representatives were informed that on July 14, 2023, Kithu was forcibly removed from her office in the presence of the county Inspectorate Department constables.
Following the viral circulation of a video capturing her ejection, reports suggested that Kithu had been transferred to the Finance Department.
Contrary to these reports, the MCAs learned that Kithu was never officially accommodated in the new department.
To express his concern, South C MCA Abbas Khalif claimed that Kithu was told to step aside for an audit to be done, yet nothing has been revealed on the audit.
"No one has assigned her to any specific department or sector. She remains within the corridors of City Hall, drawing a salary. The executive instructed her to step aside to facilitate an audit. Is there any corresponding report on this matter?" he posed.
The ODM MCA sought clarification on whether an Acting County Secretary has the authority to place someone on leave, emphasizing that it is typically the investigative arm of the government that requests an individual to step aside.
On August 3, 2023, Kithu wrote a letter to the County Secretary detailing the circumstances of her forceful removal from office on July 14, 2023.
Subsequently, she submitted a June 13 letter instructing her to report to the County Executive Member for Finance.
The MCAs claimed the person appointed to replace Kithu was not vetted nor appointed by the Public Service Board.
On his end, Acting County Secretary Patrick Analo said that the WDF CEO was not ejected but transferred to another department.
He explained that he was asked to designate another individual to act in the office due to her role as the head of the public service board.
"After the audit of the Financial Year 2022/23, the officer was instructed to take a 30-day leave while retaining all her privileges, to facilitate an audit of her office," Analo added.