- Nyange left in January slightly over a year since her appointment on November 15, 2022.
- On January 12, the board through chair Jane Thuo said in a statement that Nyange was relieved of her duties effective January 8, 2024.
Image: AMWIK/X
The Association of Media Women in Kenya has embarked on fresh recruitment of a new executive director following the abrupt exit of Patience Nyange.
Nyange left in January slightly over a year since her appointment on November 15, 2022.
“Do you have what it takes to lead to the next level? We are in search of a driven and seasoned professional to assume the position of Executive Director. As a dynamic leader, you will have the opportunity to steer the direction of the association and contribute to its continued growth,” Amwik said in a notice on X Monday.
Nyange’s abrupt exit from the association in January this year was mired in controversy.
On January 12, the board through chair Jane Thuo said in a statement that Nyange was relieved of her duties effective January 8, 2024.
"The Board of Directors has appointed Sharon Kechula who held the position of the Programs Manager as the acting Executive Director with immediate effect," Thuo said.
She added that Kechula would oversee the association's affairs with support from the board.
Nyange issued a rebuttal saying the claims in her dismissal letter were personal and did not provide grounds for suspension from her role.
She said she had been granted an opportunity to appeal the Board's decision by January 22, 2024.
In a message to a WhatsApp group comprising Amwik staff, Nyange asked the members to “please ignore the noise. This notice is generated, written and sponsored...”
The security feature of the WhatsApp group which had over 200 members was changed and only admins could post messages.
On January 11, a member created a new group and named it "AMWIK 2023 Temporary Group" ostensibly for members to discuss the new development.
"Hey ladies. Thank you for joining this group. We are here in solidarity as members. We want our voices heard. We want to be informed of what is happening. We want to hold the Board accountable. We want to hear from the ED," a message sent to the group read.
"Before we renew our membership, we want to be spoken to as valuable members of the association. So kindly go to the 2023 group and see if you can identify your friends, send them the link to join this group.
Nyange had been appointed to replace Judie Kaberia who resigned in early September 2022.
A former journalist at KBC later claimed an offer letter for the position had been issued to her before it was later revoked under unclear circumstances.
The board in the offer letter issued to Nyange indicated that she was picked after background checks on the two and found her “the ideal candidate for the job”.