A group of activists has filed a lawsuit demanding the removal of Kenya National Police DT Sacco CEO Solomon Atsiaya who is accused of financial misconduct and mismanaging Sacco resources.
Atsiaya is under fire for accusations of causing massive financial losses through corruption, mismanagement, breaching of legal standards and manipulating regulations, among other questionable dealings within the Sacco.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya have been dragged into this high-profile case as both are now being called upon to expose what insiders term a shocking failure of leadership and transparency under Atsiaya’s rule at the Sacco.
The petitioners claim that Atsiaya has collaborated with certain board members to cement their control over the Sacco by sidelining and quashing voices that demand accountability.
The suspension of elected delegates Stephen Kiralem, Edmund Bunyasi and Robert Odongo after a reportedly unlawful election has also been pointed out, with the trio currently pursuing legal recourse at the Cooperative Tribunal.
At the heart of the activists demands is an audit of the Sacco’s finances, pointing to extravagant spending on projects such as the M-TAWI banking system.
Acquired for an eye-watering Ksh 600 million and saddled with an annual maintenance fee of Ksh 300 million, M-TAWI is viewed as a monumental failure, with growing voices calling for investigations into how such a large sum was spent on a system that barely functions.
Further accusations of excessive expenditure across various departments, such as education and marketing, have surfaced, all while the Sacco’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs remain shrouded in controversy.
The construction of a Police Sacco Stadium in South C and a gymnasium at Kiganjo are among projects that have come under fire.
The petitioners claim that funds meant for these initiatives have either been wasted or siphoned off.
There are also claims of favouritism and nepotism within the Sacco with accusations that Atsiaya has facilitated the hiring of family members and associates tied to board members.
Key examples include the hiring of Timothy Okumu, the brother of Director John Okumu and Beatrice Owino the chairman’s alleged daughter-in-law.
Beyond financial mismanagement, the petitioners accuse Atsiaya of living lavishly, flaunting luxury homes and vehicles, creating suspicion that Sacco funds are being diverted for personal benefit.
An investigation into Atsiaya’s wealth, the petitioners argue, is long overdue.
An expenditure of Ksh 16.9 million for a tree-planting event at the DCI Headquarters last year has also raised eyebrows.
Activists are accusing the Sacco of massively overinflating costs and have called for an in-depth audit to find out where the CSR funds truly went.
They’re banking on the court to kick Atsiaya out and appoint a temporary leader who can steer the Sacco back to honest management.
The outcome of this high-stakes case has gripped the attention of activists nationwide, setting the stage for a major ruling.
Alot of Saccos in the country are being mismanaged, embezzled under the watch of Sasra, EACC, ODPP and KUSCCO. It has become a habit despite the exposes in the media and public. These are not just mere allegations as it has been evident not once not twice when members have been restricted access or imposed on a limit for withdrawal or total restriction for withdrawal because of empty coffers. The authorities are on payroll and have been bribed to the core to keep maim and give blind eye.
The management of the Kenya National Police Deposit Taking Sacco was under fire sometimes back, with over 10,000 members accusing it of corruption and financial mismanagement. The members, through Rene and Hans Advocates LLP, called for an investigation by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority (SASRA) into what they described as rampant misappropriation of funds and unethical behaviour within the Sacco’s leadership. Central to their grievances was the demand for the resignation of top Sacco officials, whom they accused of gross mismanagement.
This incompetence, they say, had driven several members to withdraw from the organisation entirely.
Ranked as the third-largest Sacco by asset base after Mwalimu and Stima Saccos, Kenya Police DT Sacco is now embroiled in allegations of overspending on a faulty mobile banking system, M-TAWI.
Members claim the system, which costs millions, is of poor quality and frequently crashes, especially at the end of the month when they attempt to check their salaries.
Members from the Kenya Police Service, Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Administration Police Service, General Service Unit (GSU), and Anti-Stock Theft Unit report being charged Ksh 10 whenever the M-TAWI system fails and they attempt a transaction. This recurrent issue has fuelled anger, with claims that a former ICT general manager was dismissed for opposing the board’s decision to implement this cheaper, unreliable system alongside another platform called Acolyte.
In a letter dated September 3, 2024, Rene and Hans Advocates LLP highlighted serious concerns about governance, transparency, and accountability within the organisation. The members demanded an investigation into staff qualifications, allegations of nepotism, and a thorough audit of Sacco’s financial and ICT systems.
These revelations paint a picture of a Sacco in turmoil, with allegations of mismanagement and corruption leading to financial difficulties that have left members frustrated, particularly when seeking loans or financial assistance during emergencies.
KenyanHour 