Two senior employees of the Kenya Medical Laboratories and Technicians Board yesterday narrated in court how former CEO Michael Wanga (pictured) allegedly stole office furniture. Finance officer Kipkemoi Koech and human resource manager Caren Kavere told chief magistrate Ann Ong’injo the furniture was stolen as the board moved from the KNH grounds to ACK Gardens. The furniture and office equipment was worth Sh128,200. Wanga also faces several counts of sending abusive and annoying text messages to the current CEO.
Kavere said during the movement in August 2012, Wanga directed them to leave behind his office furniture, saying he would still use it. The court heard that the theft case was reported one- and-a- half years later. Kavere said Wanga fired her for no apparent reason, but she was reinstated last year. She said they were shocked when they realised the equipment had been stolen. Kavere said when they enquired about what happened from procurement officer Hesbon Omondi, he said Wanga directed him to take the items in the old office to Lang’ata. Wanga’s lawyer told the court Kavere has a personal vendetta against the former CEO and even asked her if they ever had an affair.
Kavere denied having an affair with her boss, but confirmed there were “small office politics” not related to the case. She said her dismissal was unlawful because she was seconded to the board by the ministry. It also emerged that there is a letter from the DPP asking state counsel to withdraw the matter. The case will be heard on June 30.