NLC Staff Cry Foul Over Allowance Cuts, Recruitment as Spotlight Turns to CEO Kabale Tache and HR Boss Ben Bett

By Kenya Today Fresh allegations of discontent have rocked the National Land Commission (NLC) , with employees raising serious questions over changes to staff allowances, recruitment and promotions under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Kabale Tache and Director of Human Resource Management Ben Bett . Accounts from employees, alongside documents including payslips reviewed by this publication, point to growing frustration within the constitutional commission. Junior employees in particular claim they have been hit by decisions affecting their earnings while questions over fairness in recruitment and career progression continue to simmer. At the heart of the dispute are claims that house allowances for some lower-cadre employees have been reduced by as much as 44 percent , even as some officers in higher job groups are alleged to have received increases. Employees who spoke about the matter say the changes came without adequate consultation, with some claiming they only realised their allowances had been reduced when they received their salaries. Kenya Today has not independently established the circumstances behind every allowance adjustment or whether the reported increases for senior employees occurred under comparable employment terms. The allegations nevertheless raise questions that employees say the NLC leadership needs to address. Junior Staff Question Why They Are Bearing the Pain The workers argue that if the reductions were intended to control the commission's wage bill, management should explain why the burden appears to have fallen disproportionately on lower-ranking employees. For workers already confronting Kenya's high cost of living, a reduction approaching half of an existing housing allowance can have a significant effect on household finances. Employees say the issue has consequently gone beyond money and is now affecting morale within the institution. “House allowances for lower cadre staff have reportedly been reduced by up to 44 percent without consultation while some senior officers have received increases. Staff morale has fallen sharply and many employees feel recruitment and promotion processes are no longer transparent,” reads part of the concern raised by employees. The workers are demanding transparency over how the new allowances were calculated, which job groups were affected and what legal or administrative framework was relied upon in implementing the changes. Recruitment Questions Put Kabale Tache and Ben Bett on the Spot The controversy does not stop at salaries and allowances. Employees have also raised allegations concerning recruitment and promotions, claiming there is a perception within the commission that some opportunities have not been subjected to sufficiently open and competitive processes. Some workers allege that certain positions may have been filled without public advertisement or transparent interviews. They argue that such practices, if established, would disadvantage qualified employees seeking career progression as well as Kenyans outside the commission who might otherwise have competed for the positions. These claims have not been independently proven, and the individuals concerned should have an opportunity to respond. But the allegations are serious enough to warrant clear answers from the NLC leadership. CEO Kabale Tache and HR Director Ben Bett now face calls from employees to explain the commission's recruitment procedures, promotion criteria and the rationale behind the disputed remuneration changes. For a public institution entrusted with administering sensitive land matters, workers argue that transparency should begin inside the commission itself. Parliament Has Already Turned Its Attention to NLC Recruitment The concerns are particularly significant because the commission's human-resource practices have already attracted parliamentary scrutiny. The National Assembly's Departmental Committee on Lands previously sought recruitment records covering 2023 to 2026 , according to the information provided to Kenya Today, as part of its oversight of human-resource practices at the commission. Employees now want that scrutiny widened to establish whether appointments and promotions complied with applicable laws, regulations and internal procedures. Rather than allowing suspicion to continue spreading among employees, the commission could resolve many of the questions by making the relevant procedures and criteria available to the appropriate oversight institutions. Workers Describe Falling Morale Perhaps the most worrying allegation coming from inside NLC is the reported deterioration in staff morale. Employees describe an environment characterised by frustration and uncertainty, with some saying they are reluctant to raise grievances internally because they doubt whether their concerns will receive meaningful attention. That should concern the commission's leadership. A constitutional institution cannot effectively execute its mandate when significant sections of its workforce believe they are being treated unfairly or denied transparent opportunities for advancement. Neither should junior public servants be made to feel that institutional cost-cutting begins with their payslips while senior employees are protected. If there are legitimate reasons for the reported differences, the commission should explain them. Employees Want EACC, SRC and Parliament to Intervene The affected employees are now appealing for independent scrutiny by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) and relevant parliamentary committees. They want the institutions to examine the allowance changes as well as recruitment and promotion processes and determine whether applicable requirements were followed. Their request is straightforward: establish the facts. If the decisions were lawful, competitive and properly authorised, an independent examination should help clear the leadership and restore confidence among employees. If irregularities are established, those responsible should be held accountable and affected workers given appropriate remedies. For Kabale Tache and Ben Bett , silence is unlikely to resolve the growing disquiet. NLC employees deserve to know why their remuneration changed, how recruitment decisions are being made and whether everyone — from the most junior employee to the most senior executive — is being subjected to the same standards of fairness and accountability. Until those questions are answered, allegations of unfair treatment, questionable recruitment and deteriorating staff morale will continue hanging over the National Land Commission.
Source

Jayesh Saini Exposed: The Healthcare Tycoon Who Milked Kenya’s Civil Servants Dry and Now Plots SHA’s Collapse to Reclaim His Failing Empire

Uncover how healthcare mogul Jayesh Saini allegedly sponsors critical articles to undermine Kenya's Social Health Authority (SHA) in a bid to reclaim his lost insurance monopoly, after his Aon Minet scheme left teachers and civil servants struggling. Once a frequent State House visitor under President Ruto, Saini now faces denial of access amid major healthcare scandals.
Source

Questions Mount Around VeGrid Energy CEO Thomas Mboya Ogutu as Business Dispute Expands Into Public Controversy

VeGrid Energy Chief Executive Officer Thomas Mboya Ogutu is facing growing scrutiny after a business dispute with foreign entrepreneur and artificial intelligence inventor Hannes Bend spilled into the public domain, drawing attention to allegations of threats, intimidation, corporate governance concerns and questions surrounding the company's ownership structure. Ogutu What began as a disagreement over compensation for work allegedly performed in connection with VeGrid Energy has evolved into a wider controversy involving claims that have attracted the attention of investors, business observers and members of the public. At the centre of the dispute is Bend, the founder of Breathing AI, who has spent months publicly documenting his disagreements with Ogutu and VeGrid Energy. Bend alleges that after seeking compensation for work he says he performed, the relationship deteriorated and gave rise to a series of hostile exchanges. Among the materials released by Bend are screenshots of WhatsApp messages that he says were sent by Ogutu. Bend claims the messages contained threats, warnings and remarks that he interpreted as hostile and intimidating. He further alleges that some communications referenced his foreign nationality, leading him to raise concerns about xenophobic treatment. The allegations remain contested and have not been determined by a court. Nevertheless, the dispute has generated significant interest because it extends beyond a simple commercial disagreement. Bend claims he reported his concerns to property managers, law enforcement agencies and other institutions after becoming concerned for his safety. He alleges that despite submitting complaints and evidence, little meaningful action was taken. Those claims have not been independently verified. The controversy has also revived public discussion about VeGrid Energy's ownership structure and business relationships. In recent public statements, Bend has questioned the identities of individuals associated with the company and argued that greater transparency is needed where businesses may have links to influential public figures. Those claims gained additional attention after Bend publicly alleged connections between VeGrid Energy and former Nairobi County Finance Executive Charles Kerich. The allegations have not been independently confirmed and no public findings have linked Kerich to wrongdoing in relation to VeGrid Energy. For Ogutu, the growing controversy arrives against a backdrop of increasing public scrutiny. Critics argue that the allegations require a comprehensive response, while supporters maintain that accusations alone should not be treated as evidence of misconduct. The dispute has also brought renewed attention to historical public records connected to Ogutu's previous career in the public sector. Public court records relating to the broader PostaPay matter have been referenced by Bend as part of his campaign. Those records exist independently of the current dispute and any conclusions regarding individual responsibility remain matters of public record and legal interpretation. As the controversy grows, observers say the key questions are becoming increasingly straightforward. Were the complaints properly investigated? Were the concerns raised by Bend adequately addressed? What is the ownership structure of VeGrid Energy? And are all parties willing to publicly respond to the allegations now circulating online? Until those questions are answered, the dispute is likely to continue attracting public attention. What began as a disagreement between a businessman and a company has evolved into a broader debate touching on corporate governance, investor confidence, transparency and accountability. For now, the allegations remain allegations. But the spotlight on VeGrid Energy and its chief executive is unlikely to fade anytime soon.
Source

Fury at KBC After Mary Daraja's Remarks Leave Contract Workers Feeling Humiliated

KBC Staff Raise Concerns After Meeting Chaired by Radio Programmes Manager Mary Daraja
Source

Crisis at Nairobi Hospital? Staff and Doctors Write to President Ruto Alleging Corruption, Financial Mismanagement and Victimisation

By KT team Fresh turmoil has erupted at The Nairobi Hospital after doctors and members of staff reportedly escalated their grievances to President William Ruto and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, accusing senior officials of corruption, financial mismanagement and the victimisation of employees who raise concerns. The development threatens to deepen an already growing crisis at one of Kenya's most respected private healthcare institutions. According to the complaints, staff members claim that internal governance challenges have reached a point where they can no longer be addressed through ordinary administrative channels, prompting them to seek intervention from the highest levels of government. The allegations paint a troubling picture of an institution that has long been viewed as a benchmark for medical excellence in East Africa. For decades, The Nairobi Hospital has built its reputation on quality healthcare, advanced medical services and professional standards that attracted patients from across the region. Today, however, staff and doctors claim the focus is increasingly shifting away from patient care and toward internal battles over management, governance and accountability. Among the concerns reportedly raised are allegations of financial mismanagement involving hospital resources. The complainants claim that funds are not being managed in a manner that reflects the standards expected of a leading healthcare institution. They further allege that employees who question certain decisions or attempt to raise concerns face intimidation, isolation or victimisation. The accusations have generated anxiety among staff members who fear that continued internal conflict could eventually affect service delivery and the hospital's reputation. Many believe that unresolved governance disputes have the potential to undermine employee morale and create uncertainty within the institution. The decision to write directly to President Ruto and Senator Sifuna demonstrates the seriousness with which the complainants view the matter. Ordinarily, concerns of this nature would be handled internally through management structures, board processes or regulatory channels. The fact that employees felt compelled to seek intervention from political leaders suggests a growing level of frustration among those raising the complaints. For patients and members of the public, the allegations are likely to trigger concerns about governance within institutions entrusted with critical healthcare services. Hospitals depend heavily on public trust. Patients expect transparency. They expect accountability. They expect decisions to be guided by medical and ethical considerations rather than internal power struggles. Any allegations suggesting otherwise inevitably attract attention. The controversy also raises broader questions about corporate governance in private healthcare institutions. When doctors and healthcare workers publicly express concerns about leadership and management practices, stakeholders naturally want to understand whether those concerns are isolated complaints or indicators of deeper structural challenges. The Nairobi Hospital's management has not publicly responded to the specific allegations. As with any dispute of this nature, the claims remain allegations unless independently verified through investigations, audits or other formal processes. Even so, the emergence of such accusations at one of Kenya's most prominent hospitals is likely to intensify calls for transparency and accountability. Healthcare experts note that strong governance is as important to a hospital's success as medical expertise and modern equipment. Without trust in leadership, even the most respected institutions can face significant challenges. The coming days may therefore prove critical for The Nairobi Hospital. Stakeholders will be watching closely to see whether the allegations are addressed, whether independent reviews are undertaken and whether staff concerns receive a substantive response. For now, one thing is clear. A dispute that may once have been confined to internal corridors has now spilled into the national spotlight, placing The Nairobi Hospital's leadership under increasing pressure to explain what is happening behind the scenes at Kenya's premier private referral hospital.
Source

Never Forget: MPs who Backed the Controversial Finance Bill

Kenyans may forgive many things, but they rarely forget the MPs who stood on the wrong side of history when wananchi were struggling.
Source

Questions Emerge Over Mary Wambui's New Githogoro Development as Residents Seek Clarity on Road Reserve Claims

By KT Team Businesswoman Mary Wambui is once again attracting public attention following the ongoing construction of a commercial development in Githogoro, directly opposite one of her hospitality investments. The project, which has become increasingly visible in recent weeks, is already generating discussion among residents and stakeholders, with some questioning whether all planning, land-use and infrastructure requirements have been fully addressed. At the centre of the debate are claims circulating among local residents that part of the development may have encroached on a road reserve. While no official determination has been publicly made regarding the allegations, the claims have prompted calls for clarification from the relevant planning and regulatory authorities. The controversy comes at a time when public scrutiny of land use, urban planning and commercial developments in Nairobi continues to intensify. Residents increasingly expect transparency regarding major projects, particularly those associated with prominent business and political figures. Critics argue that the best way to address public concerns is through openness and disclosure of all approvals, permits and planning documentation associated with the project. Supporters of the development, however, maintain that allegations should not be treated as facts without verification from the responsible authorities. The questions surrounding the project have also reignited broader discussions about reputation management in the digital age. Public figures frequently find themselves at the centre of online debates, investigations and media scrutiny. While some seek to challenge or remove information they consider inaccurate or defamatory, critics argue that public accountability requires difficult questions to be addressed rather than ignored. For many observers, the issue is larger than a single construction project. It touches on transparency, public trust, land governance and the expectation that influential individuals should be held to the same standards as ordinary citizens. If the development fully complies with planning regulations, publication of the relevant approvals would likely put many of the concerns to rest. If questions remain unanswered, however, public scrutiny is unlikely to disappear. As construction continues, residents and stakeholders say they will be watching closely for answers from both the developer and the authorities charged with enforcing planning laws. In matters involving public interest, transparency often remains the most effective response to speculation.
Source