ICPAK now wants former Uchumi CEO to quit

Former Uchumi Supermarkets CEO Jonathan Ciano, who is chairman of ICPAK's Disciplinary Committee. FILE PHOTO

What you need to know:

  • ICPAK last week said Mr Ciano would stay until investigations are completed into a forensic audit report on Uchumi, which has accused the former CEO of manipulating the retail chain’s accounts to the tune of Sh1 billion.

  • At Uchumi’s annual general meeting last month, shareholders were told how the chain retailer’s former management, led by Ciano, whose term expired in June, made them believe they were making profits and even recommended dividends as the firm sank into debt and loss.

Kenya’s professional accountants’ body has called on former Uchumi chief executive Jonathan Ciano to resign from its disciplinary committee.

The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) now wants Mr Ciano to leave the office that is expected to determine his fate.

ICPAK last week said Mr Ciano would stay until investigations are completed into a forensic audit report on Uchumi, which has accused the former CEO of manipulating the retail chain’s accounts to the tune of Sh1 billion.

“Upon receipt of complaints on allegations of gross misconduct, the Chairman of the Institute’s Disciplinary Committee is henceforth conflicted and in the public interest and in the interest of the accountancy profession.

“The Council of the Institute has resolved and called for the Chairman of [the] Disciplinary Committee to step aside as investigations are concluded,”  ICPAK said in a statement.

MAKING PROFITS

The Institute’s Disciplinary Committee is established under Section 31 of the Accountants Act and comprises seven members, who are appointed by the National Treasury Cabinet secretary the upon nomination by the ICPAK.

The current Disciplinary Committee was appointed by Treasury Secretary Henry Rotich in 2014 for a term of three years.

ICPAK chief executive Patrick Ngumi said the Institute would handle all disciplinary proceedings against its members and act as guided by the law, the Institute’s by-laws and natural justice.

At Uchumi’s annual general meeting last month, shareholders were told how the chain retailer’s former management, led by Ciano, whose term expired in June, made them believe they were making profits and even recommended dividends as the firm sank into debt and loss.