The sudden resignation of Ahmed Farah as Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) after just five months in office has ignited speculation about deep-seated conflicts within the organization’s leadership. Farah’s exit, announced on Friday, is seen by insiders as a strategic move to distance himself from looming scandals that could soon attract the attention of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
In a statement, Farah cited “differing perspectives” with the KNCCI Board of Directors, chaired by President Erick Rutto, as the reason for his immediate departure. “As with many leadership journeys, moments of divergence can shape the way forward,” Farah said, without elaborating on specific issues. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve, noting his contributions to advancing Kenya’s business landscape and optimism about KNCCI’s future under new leadership.
However, sources within KNCCI paint a more contentious picture, alleging that Farah’s resignation stems from persistent clashes with Rutto over financial mismanagement and centralized control. “Farah has had a rough ride as CEO, particularly with the president, who acts like he runs the Chamber single-handedly,” a source claimed. “Rutto has the final say on every decision, including financial matters, where he has imposed loyalists as bank signatories to approve his projects without scrutiny.”
The source further suggested that Farah’s exit was a preemptive step to protect his reputation ahead of potential EACC investigations into the Chamber’s operations. “Farah is being cautious because the scandals are about to erupt, and he doesn’t want his clean record tainted,” they said. Allegations of financial impropriety and tribal favoritism have also surfaced, with claims that Rutto boasts of political protection from President William Ruto, citing their shared ethnic background.
Farah’s departure comes amid growing scrutiny of KNCCI’s governance and neutrality. Recently, Rutto drew criticism for accusing The Standard newspaper of publishing negative stories that “drive away investors and damage confidence” in Kenya. “Foreigners read our headlines and think Kenya is a banana republic,” he was quoted as saying. His remarks raised concerns about KNCCI’s independence as a nongovernmental organization and fueled speculation of alignment with government efforts to suppress critical media.
As KNCCI navigates this leadership crisis, questions linger about its ability to maintain its mandate of fostering a competitive business environment. With Farah’s exit exposing underlying tensions, all eyes are on whether the EACC will indeed knock on KNCCI’s doors, as insiders predict, and what this means for the future of one of Kenya’s most influential business organizations.
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