Channel 15 News has sought clarification from the Estate Agents Registration Board regarding a dispute linked to one of its board members, Joel Kinyua Kathumbi, as questions surrounding a compensation payment remain unresolved.
The inquiry follows an ongoing public interest investigation into a fatal accident compensation award delivered in July 2019 by the Senior Principal Magistrates Court at Makindu.
Court proceedings and ruling records reviewed by Channel 15 News indicate that a compensation award amounting to KSh 3,098,213 was issued arising from the accident case.
Further documents show that in October 2019, Directline Assurance Company Limited remitted KSh 1.5 million to a law firm operating under the name Kinyua Mwaniki & Wainaina Advocates, the firm under which Mr. Kathumbi was practising at the material time.
The dispute emerged after the intended beneficiary of the award, described in legal correspondence as an ailing widow from Mwingi, through newly appointed legal representatives demanded accounting and remittance of the decretal sum, alleging that the funds had not been transmitted.
The matter has also attracted professional interest within legal regulatory circles, with references made to complaints processes involving the Law Society of Kenya concerning advocates’ conduct, although no confirmed disciplinary determination has been publicly established in relation to the specific dispute.
While board membership in statutory regulatory bodies is generally part-time and does not automatically restrict private professional practice, the issue has generated public interest due to governance questions touching on fiduciary responsibility, disclosure obligations, and integrity expectations for public officers.
Under Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya, persons holding public office are required to uphold high ethical standards, promote transparency, and avoid conduct that may undermine public confidence in institutions they serve.
Channel 15 News has written to the Estate Agents Registration Board seeking comment on whether the institution is aware of the dispute, whether it maintains internal governance or conflict-of-interest disclosure mechanisms applicable to board members, and whether any administrative consideration has been undertaken regarding the matter.
The newsroom confirmed that emails were sent to the Board as part of its efforts to obtain comment.
By press time, the Board had not responded to the inquiry.
The publication is part of Channel 15 News’ continuing efforts to obtain comment from all concerned parties. The story will be updated should a response be received.
The dispute itself has not been determined by any court of law.
