KENYA TOURISM BOARD MD SACKED

THE STANDARD
By BORNICE BIOMNDO
January 8 2009

The Kenya Tourism Board managing director Dr Achieng Ong’ong’a has resigned.

Dr Achieng Ong’ong’a submitted his resignation letter to the minister for Tourism Najib Balala.

At the same time, the minister announced the appointment of Mrs Marianne Ndegwa Jordan as the interim managing director with immediate effect.

She was previously a treasurer at Kenya Tourism Development Corporation, a parastatal in the ministry.

Mrs Jordan will hold the position in an acting capacity until the ministry of Tourism carries out a recruitment exercise.

He was speaking to journalists at his Utalii office in Nairobi.

Mr Balala confirmed that Dr Ong’ong’a had earlier been sent on compulsory leave after it was discovered in November that some Sh 35 million was missing for the 2007 advertisement kitty.

The money had been put aside for tourism marketing and promotional activities.

Dr Ong’ong’a’s resignation was to allow for investigations to be carried out.

He said that conclusive reports were yet to be received over the financial irregularities experienced by the board last year.

“Action will be taken on the people who were involved,” he said.

Mr Balala added that he instructed the board to find ways of recovering the embezzled money.

During his service as director, Dr Ong’ong’a was key in spearheading the revival of Kenya’s tourism industry after its down turn following the post-election violence.

In 2007, he recorded the highest foreign revenue brought into the country by the tourism industry.

He made land mark advancements in marketing Kenya internationally, using conventional and recently electronically.

Mrs Jordan recognised that the challenges ahead of her were great.

“I will do my best for the country,” she said.

She holds a Masters Degree in Finance, a diploma in Hospitality and has four years experience in the tourism industry.

COMMENTS:

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Submitted by msk2000sa
Posted January 08, 2009 04:15 PM

Are there no checks and balances? How can one squander such an amount without being detected earlier? Continuous Audits can easily snub a culprit b4 walloping such colossal amounts. Well, better late than never. How can I apply for the post Hon. Balala?

Submitted by gizah
Posted January 08, 2009 04:08 PM

I dont buy it and I will never. Tourism marketing is the most abused but least monitored sector yet they spend billions a year. Let the truth be told. They do nothing. Most tourists come to Kenya because of the hard and extensive work of individual tour companies eg African safari club. The KTB only attend those mickey mouse tour exhibitions which no ordinary tourist attend.

Submitted by wsnjau
Posted January 08, 2009 03:33 PM

Without getting into the intricacies of this saga (which I do not know), I am sad to see Dr. Ong'ong'a go. Just remember where tourism was before he took over. Were it not for PEV, he had put us on a fast lane for growth!

Submitted by syindumyaki
Posted January 08, 2009 03:29 PM

I hope the Dr will not be reappointed to yet another board!

Submitted by kibosmaluche
Posted January 08, 2009 02:53 PM

So is he going to jail or the resignation is enough?

Submitted by fwaithash
Posted January 08, 2009 02:33 PM

Heads must role now than later. Tax payers Money must be recovered. Bravo Balala for acting swiftly before corruption fights back.

Submitted by victorKinyanjui
Posted January 08, 2009 02:06 PM

So where did the Money disappear from, the Treasurer’s Docket or the Manager’s?

Submitted by MichaOlga
Posted January 08, 2009 12:09 PM

It's about time!