The pick of the board of Directors of Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has raised eyebrows in the aviation industry following numerous allegations of being a key participant in abuse of office and embezzlement of public money schemes.
The newly-appointed Director General Emile Nguza Arao’s name was adversely mentioned in a report by the East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) as a person who is possibly embezzling funds and poor management according to an assessment in his previous workstation.
Emile was appointed by Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia to replace his predecessor captain Gilbert Kibe. Emile is accused of stealing Sh5.47 million which was paid irregularly as education allowance.
According to the findings, some of the children to whom the money had been paid for their birth certificates had not been registered in the payroll as per the recommendation of the governing regulations.
Regarding travel, an audit revealed that Sh59.9 million were used on conferences while Sh28.9 million were used on meetings. This is despite the reduction of in-person travel and teleconferencing due to Covid-19 pandemic.
The shortlisted candidates were Lucus Njeri (pilot, Kenya Airways), Mugambi GK M’Ncherebere (director, KCAA’s East African School of Aviation), Abel Gogo (Kenya Airports Authority manager in charge of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport), Joseph Kiptoo Chebungei, (KCAA Director, Corporate Services), and Joseph Okumu (KAA manager in charge of Wilson Airport).
After the interviews, Arao, Chebungei, and Mugambi’s names were forwarded by the Board of Directors to the Minister for appointment as per the Civil Aviation Act.
