“We are Unapologetic,” KCB CEO Joshua Oigara On 90 Fired Employees

By Jane Okoth

The rate of corporate crime is gradually increasing as more employees in giant companies are involved in fraudulent and dishonest activities.

Just a few weeks after leading communication giant Safaricom announced the firing of 56 employees over graft related cases, KCB group has decided to follow suit.

According to an article on  The Business Daily, KCB Group has sacked about 90 employees in the past one year over fraud and professional negligence.

The paper reports that “eight per cent of its 2013 employees or 431 workers left last year and 22 per cent of the ex-staff were fired because of fraud, indicating that the bank dismissed 94 employees last year based on the listed staff count of 5,393.”

“Our business is anchored in trust. We are therefore unapologetic for parting ways with members of staff who betray the ethical standards of behavior that KCB Group abides by,” chief executive Joshua Oigara said.

“Cases of fraud at KCB Group are investigated thoroughly and dealt with decisively.”

A study by Deloitte shows that the most prevalent forms of financial crime reported in Kenya are cash theft, cheque fraud, plastic money scams and electronic funds transfer fraud.

The paper also reported that KCB said in a testament that “Some of the initiatives in place include zero tolerance to corruption, compulsory ethics and compliance online course for every employee, tightening of enforcement and monitoring tools,”

This is a great move by the bank especially if they are planning to introduce an online course for every employee that is aimed at upholding ethics and zero tolerance to corruption,” says Kennedy Mochu, a Graphic Designer at a Telecommunication company.

“Most employees need to be educated on the importance of honesty and integrity in the work place. Some of them are motivated by  greed for money rather than advancing their careers,” he says.

He further adds that “Other government institutions and parastatals also need to follow suit. Corruption and bribery is high especially in government agencies and they need to be stopped.”

But Henry Wanyama, an IT Specialist at an Engineering firm is quick to fault the move.

“It is important to hear two sides of a story so that we can have a chance to evaluate the matter,” he says.

“Some companies have a habit of illegally firing employees without giving them a chance to explain or prove their innocence.

“The issue of fraud among employees in the corporate world is a reality that has to be addressed,” Bernard Kisemei, a Real Estate Developer in Nairobi.

“I commend these companies for their brave actions towards corruption in their companies” he concludes.

Is KCB and Safaricom justified in the firing of their employees and should other companies follow suit?

Dont Miss any Job Or Article Subscribe to Career Point Kenya by Email FOR FREE CLICK HERE