Africa-Press – Kenya. Several senior officials at the Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ), also known as the Office of the Ombudsman, have been suspended from duty over allegations of gross misconduct, incompetence, and insubordination.
In a statement issued on Friday, October 31, CAJ announced that the affected officers include Commission Secretary and CEO Mercy Wambua, Assistant Director of Finance Bernard Nyariki, and Assistant Director of Supply Chain Management Damaris Mburu.
The Commission explained that the decision to suspend the officials was made to facilitate a fair and transparent disciplinary process in line with its Human Resource Manual.
“The officers have been suspended from duty, effective immediately, to ensure a fair and transparent disciplinary process,” the statement read.
CAJ Chairperson Charles Dulo noted that the Commission had also invited investigative agencies to probe possible financial irregularities uncovered during internal reviews.
“In light of apparent financial irregularities, the Commission will invite the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to conduct independent investigations,” Dulo stated.
Wambua, who has been at the helm of the Commission since March 4, 2022, previously served as the Law Society of Kenya CEO for six years. During this period, she also served as the Secretary to the Advocates Disciplinary Tribunal and Secretary to the Advocates Benevolent Association.
She also held positions at the Board of Kituo cha Sheria and the then Ministry of Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs.
In 2021, she was sent on compulsory leave after LSK members voted to have her out of office. However, the High Court in Nairobi later reinstated her, nearly five months later.
Mercy became a CEO in February 2016 at the age of 36, becoming one of the youngest to get that position in the region at that time.
She has also received awards and recognitions in her field of work, one of them being the Order of Grand Warrior (OGW), awarded to her by former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
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