CEO of National Biosafety Authority Roy Mugiira suspended for alleged wasting money

The Chairman of the Board of the National Biosafety Authority (NBA), Roy Mugiira, has been suspended from office over alleged embezzlement of funds and interference with the composition of the authority’s board.

The disciplinary proceedings against Dr. Mugiira began on June 6, 2024, when the Board demanded an explanation for several cases of financial irregularities at the Authority.

In a statement to the editors, Dr. Mugiira is accused of having manipulated the investigation into allegations of embezzlement of funds by the board.

He is accused of pushing for the dismissal of two board members while an investigation into his conduct was still ongoing.

“The Board has taken note that you have actively interfered with the composition of the Board and continue to do so in order to frustrate the disciplinary proceedings against you… and have succeeded in removing Directors Dr. Roselida Owuor and Mr. Abduba Dabassa, who were actively involved in your case, from the Board and replacing them with others,” the statement said.

According to Prof. Jenesio Kinyamario, Chairman of the NBA Board of Directors, Dr. Mugiira’s actions violated provisions 10.8.1 and 10.8.2(c) and 10.10 of the NBA Code of Conduct and Ethics on Integrity and Conflicts of Interest.

“The Board considers your above actions as gross misconduct for which strict disciplinary action is warranted beyond the ongoing disciplinary process,” the letter addressed to Dr. Mugiira said.

Dr. Mugiira will be out of the office for the next three months to allow the disciplinary process to be completed, but will be asked to respond to audit queries relating to the previous financial year.

Dr Mugiira confirmed his suspension and told the Nation on Wednesday that he could not comment further on the development as the matter was being handled administratively.

The suspended CEO was appointed in February 2022, when the authority was still on hold due to a ten-year ban on the sale, import and cultivation of genetically modified crops and foods in the country.

In the same year, President William Ruto lifted the ban on GMOs in the country by decree and the NBA was in the process of publicising and expanding research on GMO crops and foods such as maize and cassava.

BT cotton is the only commercially grown crop in the country.

However, a case pending before the Court of Appeal over the country’s ability to handle genetically modified crops and foods is bringing some of the agency’s activities to a halt.

While Dr. Mugiira serves his suspension, Mr. Nehemiah Ngetich, the Director of Biosafety Research and Compliance, will take over the role on an interim basis.

Mr Ngetich joined NBA in 2012 as a biosafety inspector. He is currently pursuing a PhD in plant ecology at the University of Nairobi.