The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has summarily dismissed and cut ties with Harrison Mumia, the president of Atheist in Kenya (AIK) for failing to exercise political impartiality. In a show cause letter dated February 28, 2018, the bank regulator accused Mumia of engaging in political activities by making statements on social media which may compromise neutrality of his employer.
While sacking him, the CBK pointed out three tweets where Mumia publicly showed his political bias against law enforcers. A case in point, is a statement he made upon arrest of Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter in which he appeared to suggest the apprehension was not based on law. “I thought Alfred Keter was in government. I thought yuko ndani ndani. Mbona anashikwa na his government tena? (I thought he was in government, why is he being arrested by own government?).
Useless, being in government is a myth. To those who voted for Jubileee, in what sense are you in government?” he posted.
Ironically, Keter was detained for three days for allegedly faking Treasury Bills and demanding for pay from CBK, Mumia’s employer. “Thereby suggesting arrest of the MP was not based on any fair investigation but was a betrayal by his political party. You nonetheless knew the arrest was as a result of investigations by investigating agencies including your employer,” read notice to show cause.
The letter that ultimately dismissed me from CBK @CBKKenya @njorogep
I have come to underatand how discrimination and selective application of the law works. HR Acting Director MS Terry Ng'ang'a is not fit to be Human Resource Director at CBK. She is vindictive. #CBKFascism pic.twitter.com/kdaTuHxzM6— President, Atheists In Kenya Society (@harrisonmumia) January 21, 2019
Even though the CBK had cautioned him against any further misconduct and despite having been suspended, Mumia continued nonetheless thus disregarding his employer and the disciplinary committee. “Consequently, we find justification to vary the decision to terminate your services and therefore the earlier decision still stands, under the circumstances, you are hereby expected to immediately commence the clearance process with the bank,” said Dennis Makuu, Acting Human Resource Director.