Front PageNational News

YAS urges Ombudsman to probe govt on Kalumo

Youth and Society (YAS) has written Ombudsman Grace Malera to investigate the continued payment of salary and other benefits to Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services former director general Brigadier General Charles Kalumo (Retired).

A complaint dated January 30 2025 signed by YAS executive director Charles Kajoloweka said Malera should probe and hold to account government officials responsible for processing and authorising payment of salaries and benefits to Kalumo.

Asked to probe Kalumo’s continued salary, other benefits: Malera | Nation

YAS challenged the Ombudsman to take legal and administrative measures aimed at removing Kalumo from the government payroll.

The organisation has also demanded that there should be disciplinary or legal action against public officers who have failed to take necessary action apart from disregarding the courts.

It has recommended that Malera should investigate failure by Ministry of Homeland Security, Department of Human Resource Management and Development (DHRMD) and Office of the President Cabinet (OPC) to establish negligence in implementing a High Court order which nullified Kalumo’s appointment.

Court nullified his appointment: Kalumo | Nation

The governance watchdog further said Kalumo should return salaries and benefits he has been receiving as well as surrender the government vehicle which he retained despite nullification of his appointment.

“The inaction and apparent impunity being demonstrated by these institutions set a dangerous precedent, fostering a culture where public officers and civil servants feel emboldened to disregard court orders with no consequences.

“The refusal by responsible authorities to ensure the enforcement of the High Court’s ruling amounts to maladministration, contempt of court, and an outright subversion of our legal framework,” reads the statement.

Office of the Ombudsman public relations officer Mandy Pondani confirmed receipt of the complaint from YAS, saying their office is assessing it.

She said: “The complaint will undergo a preliminary assessment as to its admissibility in line with applicable procedures. Thereafter, the Office of the Ombudsman will determine whether or not to carry out an investigation into the matter.”

According to evidence Weekend Nation gathered and first published on January 25 2025, DHRMD did not remove Kalumo from the government payroll despite the High Court’s order of June 6 2024.

Kalumo’s pay slips for the months of September, October and November, 2024 indicate government was still paying him his basic salary of K2 309 038 including, a monthly special allowance of K40 000.

Further, Kalumo did not return the official vehicle for the director general, a Toyota TX registration number BP 8949, raising eyebrows why he continues defying the court order.

DHRMD spokesperson Kennie Ntonga told the paper the process of removing or inserting any officer on the payroll starts from the ministry, department and agency (MDA) concerned, not DHRMD.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Back to top button