According to deep investigations conducted by our reporters, David Mwangi, the current Tourism Fund CEO, used the former tourism CS Najib Balala to stage a coup that landed him some plum dubious deals.
The rogue CEO is said to have used Mahendra Halai, owner of MuljiDevraj and Brothers Ltd a firm that was involved in the controversial construction of Ronald Ngala Utalii College. The powerful family wanted to have a friendly CEO at the helm of Tourism Fund “to facilitate dubious payments” the paper notes.
To effect the plan, the then fund’s CEO Joseph Cherutoi and the then director of corporate affairs Eric Kiplagat were to be sacrificed. They were reportedly forced to resign by the then board of trustees chairman Alfonse Kioko who had since been replaced at the board. Ruto revoked his appointment.
The staff now want Samson Kipkoech who was recently appointed to head the board by Ruto to investigate and unearth to real issues behind the exit of the two.
It is imperative to note that it is imperative to note that Balala and Mwangi babes feature prominently into the ongoing probe of irregular payments in the acquisition of Kenya Utalii College, Mwangi served as an accountant at the institution.
The college was initiated in 2007 under the regime of President Mwai Kibaki but stalled after the committee and Ethics and Anti-Corruption commission (EACC) raised concern over increased cost of construction.
In 2021, the then Tourism CS Najib Balala appointed a task force to look into the mandate of Kenya Utalii College, sustainability of its operations as well as financing and sources of the funds.
They were reportedly forced to resign by the then board of trustees chairman Alfonse Kioko who had since been replaced at the board. Ruto revoked his appointment.
The staff now want Samson Kipkoech who was recently appointed to head the board by Ruto to investigate and unearth to real issues behind the exit of the two.
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