MP’s Reject Ben Chumo’s Nomination for SRC Post

The National Assembly has rejected a presidential nominee for the Salaries and Remuneration Commission chair Ben Chumo citing integrity issues.

According to a report from the Finance Committee, Ben Chumo is facing serious integrity issues that cannot be overlooked.

“Ben Chumo has integrity issues arising out of the fact that he has been accused of economic crimes and therefore does not satisfy the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution on Leadership and Integrity,” the report reads.

The Committee on Finance and National Planning cited the economic crimes charges following the probe on the multi-million Kenya Power transformer scandal.

The legislators said despite the ongoing case, Chumo did not resign from his post as Chair of Council, Egerton University, which further raised queries on his integrity.

They further noted that in the event that Chumo is suspended because of his current case in court, it will prevent him from carrying out his duties as SRC chairman.

Chumo was nominated by President Uhuru Kenyatta in changes announced on June 27.

Chumo was on Monday morning appearing before Parliamentary Finance Committee to be grilled over his quest to become the Chairman of Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).

Chumo, the current CEO Ken Tarus and his fellow executives at Kenya Power are accused of entering into a contract with a private firm for the supply of transformers, which turned out to be faulty.

Prosecutors said this deal also flouted procurement rules for state entities. The officials are currently out on cash bail of Sh1million and were asked to deposit their traveling documents to the court.

Chumo however in his response during the Monday vetting told the committee that the corruption matter facing him is complex and maintained that the transformers in question were procured in 2011/2012 when he was in human resource department and not the power utility Chief Executive Officer.