The board of directors at the Bandari Sacco is headed for a major shake-up after Kenya Ports Authority managing director Catherine Mturi threatened to have it disbanded.
The board comprises of CEO Ragama Ogutu, chairman Danson Kyule, vice chairman Hamadi Muhija, treasurer Moses Mugambi, honorary secretary Robert Ziro, former chairman Gerald Ojung’a and former secretary George Olang’o.
Others are supervisory committee chairman Bildard Kisero, secretary to the supervisory committee Stephen Omuyoma, supervisory committee member Sammy Mumo and board members Asinatu Sainei, Maku Salim and Joseph Thoya.
The MD is said to have been angered by the sacco’s infighting and the alleged theft of more than Sh4 million belonging to 13,000 members.
Mturi said the ugly brawl that erupted last week on Thursday between board members, impacted negatively on the KPA’s image and could hurt its operations.
Members supporting CEO Ogutu engaged those in Mugambi’s camp, including Ziro in a heated argument that nearly ended up in blows.
They accused Mugambi of scheming the sacking of Ogutu, after he unearthed their alleged fraudulent deals that resulted to the loss of the money.
The sacking, which treasurer Mugambi maintained was a 30-day compulsory leave for Ogutu, led to ferocious protest with members calling for his immediate reinstatement.
On Friday at 10.30am, KPA’s MD Mturi held a meeting with the two warring camps in her board room, where she is said to have issued the disbandment threats. She is said to have expressed her dissatisfaction with the conduct of some members.
In attendance was KPA’s human resource general manager Amani Komora, sacco’s board of directors, excluding Mugambi, board member Thoya, and Mumo, who is the member of supervisory committee.
A source privy to the development, who sought anonymity, said Mturi gave sacco chairman Kyule up to yesterday to call for a meeting with the directors.
Kyule was supposed to reinstate Ogutu and iron out their differences, failing which the board will be disbanded.
Mturi said she will write to the commissioner of cooperatives for appropriate disciplinary action, which could amount to expulsion of the entire board.
The meeting is yet to take place and this threatens the future of the sacco if Mturi’s warning is anything to go by.
“She said she will write to the commissioner of cooperatives to dissolve the sacco’s board as the wrangles will have ripple effects to KPA’s operation,” the source said.
Kyule could not be reached for comment as he did not pick our calls and replied to our queries.
Yesterday, Ogutu said: “It is unfortunate the meeting that was supposed to be called since last week on Friday, has not taken place simply because the chairman has ignored directives. Let the board be dissolved if that's what they want,” he said.
Mturi also warned sacco members against holding demonstrations.
