Petitioners wants Police DT Sacco CEO Solomon Atsiaya removed from office over embezzlement of funds

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.

Solomon Atsiaya

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 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 the projects that have come under fire.

Read: How David Michael Was Mukoye defrauded Moi University Sh 8M

The petitioners claim that funds meant for these initiatives have either been wasted or siphoned off.

There are also claims of favoritism 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.