Ezekiel Mutua ordered to refund gov't Ksh.27M in irregular salary increase

According to a ruling delivered by the State Corporations Appeal Tribunal, the former KFCB boss was irregularly awarded a salary increase from Ksh.348,840 to Ksh.1.1 million for three years. 

During the proceedings, the Inspectorate of the State Corporations alleged that Mutua's contract was renewed in 2018 despite the Sports Cabinet Secretary declining to renew his term. 

“Inspectorate of State Corporations noted that the board's decision to increase the CEO’s salary … on a ‘personal to self’ basis was unlawful and irregular and that Mr. Mutua ought to be surcharged as a consequence, having sat in the Board and benefited directly.”

The inspectorate deemed that the KFCB board did not follow the guidelines, as salary increments are determined by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC). 

The Cabinet Secretary is said to have rejected the pay hike and directed the board to recoup the money, actions which the KFCB failed to pursue leading to the Tribunal's intervention. 

In his defence, Mutua pleaded his innocence, citing that he was given the second term and salary increment by the board and was not at fault.

He argued that he continued “to work and earn a salary without any objections, reservations and or queries from the Cabinet Secretary, and it made him believe that he was discharging his duties legitimately and he had been properly appointed by the board.”

After hearing both parties, the Tribunal ruled that Mutua and Nehemiah Koech, a KFCB board member who supported the salary increment, were liable for enabling the irregular hike.