Confusion As KNCCI Board Rejects CEO’s Resignation

In a surprising turn of events, the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) Board of Directors on Saturday dismissed the resignation of CEO Ahmed Farah, asserting that his departure was due to the expiry of his probationary period, which concluded on April 17, 2025.

On Friday, Farah announced his resignation as KNCCI’s Chief Executive Officer after serving only five months. Appointed in November 2024 to succeed Patrick Nyangweso, Farah cited “differing perspectives” with the board as the reason for his early exit.

In a statement to the media, he expressed gratitude to the KNCCI board for the opportunity to serve and praised his team and stakeholders for their commitment to advancing Kenya’s business environment.

“As with many leadership journeys, moments of divergence can shape the way forward. In this case, differing perspectives between myself and the Board of Directors have brought my tenure to a close,” Farah said.

However, on Saturday, the KNCCI board issued a statement, quoted by local media, clarifying that Farah’s exit was not a resignation but the result of his probationary period ending, which the board chose not to extend.

“The Board of Directors of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry wishes to announce the expiry of the probation period for Chief Executive Officer Mr. Ahmed Farah’s contract,” the statement read.

The board did not provide specific reasons for not confirming Farah’s appointment but expressed appreciation for his contributions during his brief tenure and wished him well in his future endeavors.

Sources familiar with the matter, speaking to Kenya Insights, alleged tensions between Farah and the board, particularly with KNCCI President Erick Rutto.

These sources claim disagreements over operational control have strained the relationship, alleging that Rutto runs the organization like a personal fiefdom—micromanaging all decisions while leaving the CEO with no meaningful responsibilities.

They further assert he exclusively works with sycophantic board members who never challenge his unilateral decisions.

Additional allegations of financial impropriety, including calls for a forensic audit of the company’s unaudited finances (which haven’t been reviewed for years), reportedly exacerbated tensions. However, these claims remain unverified, and the board hasn’t publicly addressed them.

Questions remain about why the board later sponsored damage-control media articles, and about the extent of organizational dysfunction that allegedly forced the CEO’s abrupt departure.

The fiasco surrounding Farah’s departure highlights ongoing challenges within KNCCI’s leadership, raising questions about the organization’s governance and strategic direction.