Re: [Wikimedia Kenya] WMKE Financial Status

[Alex Wafula]

Hi all,

Thanks for sharing your views. I would like for us to have a physical
meetup to deliberate on the next steps to follow regarding this matter.
Please also do add to the agenda here:
http://etherpad.wikimedia.org/wmke-meeting-10-2012

I've started a Doodle to get the best date for the meeting between the 6th
and 13th of October, please go to the link  and vote for a date(s):
http://www.doodle.com/ufw3r64uaympbcke Don't forget to indicate your name.

best,
Alex

On Sat, Oct 6, 2012 at 6:26 PM, Branton Obwari wrote:

>
> Been following this issue for a while and i must say i have restrained
> myself from being judgmental , Steve, there is no justification for your
> actions whatsoever ,BUT  your admission is a step in the right direction ,
> We have learned our lesson albeit with a painful experience ,its a learning
> process & WMKE will emerge stronger .
>   I want to believe that if we had the structures in place ,the
> unfortunate incident will not have occurred ,i call upon WMKE members to
> rededicate themselves to the activities of this young chapter , to the
> board,registration  of WMKE is long overdue ,an audit of the expenditure is
> required & finally the issue of joint account .
>
> My regards!
>
>   Bruce.
>
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>
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Re: [Wikimedia Kenya] WMKE Financial Status

[Branton Obwari]

Been following this issue for a while and i must say i have restrained
myself from being judgmental , Steve, there is no justification for your
actions whatsoever ,BUT  your admission is a step in the right direction ,
We have learned our lesson albeit with a painful experience ,its a learning
process & WMKE will emerge stronger .
  I want to believe that if we had the structures in place ,the unfortunate
incident will not have occurred ,i call upon WMKE members to rededicate
themselves to the activities of this young chapter , to the
board,registration  of WMKE is long overdue ,an audit of the expenditure is
required & finally the issue of joint account .

My regards!

Bruce.
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Re: [Wikimedia Kenya] WMKE Financial Status

[stephen wanjau]

Hello!

I hope this finds all of you well.

I have sinned against humanity with my recent
action of being silent about the standing of the chapter.

This is owed to the fact that some members were alleging I do not have
the total sum of funds which at this stage I have to admit is the truth!!

I have failed everyone who trusted me. I hope to salvage some of that trust
and
the friendship because it makes me feel bad and sick when I sit and think
that someone somewhere is undergoing a rough time as a result of my
actions.
If anything I would want the world to be a better place for everyone.

I had previously took the stance that the funds were intact which was
the natural thing anyone would do to maintain their name in the
good books.To speak the truth, some of it is intact and in liquid form
while another chunk was used by me at my time of need as I was in a very
tight
spot and am ashamed I made a wrong decision  that is haunting me now.
This was neither intended nor planned.

Chapter activity that requires financing has been getting it well until
there was an impasse recently when the per diem issue arose which
I cleared by paying the concerned parties. I have lived through a test of
my time, done a mistake, learnt my lessons and am now trying to
get my life back on track.

I am sincerely sorry for putting everyone through this.
I have had to learn this the hard way but I hope this is the first step
towards resolving the stalemate. More importantly,I hope the
lessons drawn shall assist to develop guidelines to ensure such is not
repeated anywhere else given such a situation.

Things are not working as intended for a mistake that I fully acknowledge
is on my part. I still feel I must apologize, not because this is the right
thing to do, but because I am sincerely sorry for what happened and I would
never wish that to happen again and generally to anyone else.

Advice you will share on how to handle this will be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely sorry,
Stephen.

On Fri, Oct 5, 2012 at 12:45 AM, Oliver Stegen wrote:

> ** ** **
>
> Dear all,
>
> ** **
>
> Sad as this episode in the beginning history of WMKE has been, we’re at
> least one step further now than we were a month ago. Rather than
> culprit-bashing, I’d rather prefer to see us utilizing this as an
> opportunity to inspect ourselves and our motives. Let’s recognise that each
> of us is easily tempted (granted, everyone in different domains) and let’s
> rectify ourselves where we have selfish motives and don’t contribute to
> WMKE for the common good.
>
> We have already been told that “it will be Stephen's responsibility to
> return the amount”. Let the remainder of the board decide on a time-frame
> for that. Only if Steve does not fulfill his responsibility, can next steps
> be called for but certainly not just a couple of days after the initial
> announcement of what has happened. Don’t fall into the trap of revenge and
> escalation but rather concentrate on what is needful now to keep WMKE
> moving towards our common goal of the sum of human knowledge being
> available to every one of our fellow citizens of this planet.
>
> ** **
>
> Grace and peace,
>
> Oliver (aka BT)
>
> ** **
>   --
>
> *From:* Kosgei Isaac [mailto:kips8505...@gmail.com]
> *Sent:* 05 October 2012 09:19
> *To:* **The discussion list for the Wikimedia Kenya chapter.**
> *Subject:* Re: [Wikimedia Kenya] WMKE Financial Status
>
> ** **
>
> Hi,
> Abbas, I agree with you on this. It is a shame that after all the Mess at
> Wikimedia Kenya, Steve has not issued an apology on this.
> In my opinion I think WMKE should take action because embezzlement of
> chapter funds is a crime that should not go unpunished.
> I have copied Steve on this thread and I stress that action should be
> taken.
>
> On 5 October 2012 09:00, Abbas Mahmood  wrote:
>
> Hi all,
>
> ** **
>
> (I've cc-ed Steve, just to make sure he gets this message: I'm not sure
> whether he's still subscribed to this list).
>
> ** **
>
> Steve: After keeping up with this whole charade for months now, and being
> the primary cause of this mess that we’re Wikimedia Kenya is in,
> the least that you could do is issue a public apology for your heinous
> actions.
>
> ** **
>
> Sincerely
>
> Abbas Mahmood
>  --
>
> Date: Wed, 3 Oct 2012 19:10:09 +0300
> From: xelaw...@gmail.com
> To: wikimediake@lists.wikimedia.org
> Subject: [Wikimedia Kenya] WMKE Financial Status
>
>
>
> Hi all,
>
> As most of you already know, we have had concerns raised over our finances
> surrounding suspicions of embezzlement of funds by our treasurer

Re: [Wikimedia Kenya] WMKE Financial Status

[oscar okwero]

Hie all, Am deeply perturbed by such acts of insolence considering that WMK has 
just been making great strides lately. Steve ur a dissappointment and the 
board,this is a chance to put tighter controls to ensure no repeat offence.

Oscar Okwero

--- On Fri, 10/5/12, Kosgei Isaac  wrote:

From: Kosgei Isaac 
Subject: Re: [Wikimedia Kenya] WMKE Financial Status
To: "The discussion list for the Wikimedia Kenya chapter." 

Date: Friday, October 5, 2012, 6:18 AM

Hi,
Abbas, I agree with you on this. It is a shame that after all the Mess at 
Wikimedia Kenya, Steve has not issued an apology on this. 
In my opinion I think WMKE should take action because embezzlement of chapter 
funds is a crime that should not go unpunished. 

I have copied Steve on this thread and I stress that action should be taken.

On 5 October 2012 09:00, Abbas Mahmood  wrote:




Hi all,
(I've cc-ed Steve, just to make sure he gets this message: I'm not sure whether 
he's still subscribed to this list).

Steve: After keeping up with this whole charade for months now, and being the 
primary cause of this mess that we’re Wikimedia Kenya is in, the least that you 
could do is issue a public apology for your heinous actions.

SincerelyAbbas Mahmood
Date: Wed, 3 Oct 2012 19:10:09 +0300
From: xelaw...@gmail.com

To: wikimediake@lists.wikimedia.org
Subject: [Wikimedia Kenya] WMKE Financial Status

Hi all,

As most of you already know, we have had concerns raised over our finances 
surrounding suspicions of embezzlement of funds by our treasurer. I am sad to 
confirm these suspicions. Stephen Wanjau, the treasurer has come forward and 
admitted to the Board that he has used part of the funds for personal 
non-chapter expenses amounting to approximately USD. 800 and resigned from the 
Board effective immediately.




We will now move to wire back the remaining funds to WMF for keeping until we 
have our own bank account and more than one signatory for the same. As for the 
embezzled funds, it will be Stephen's responsibility to return the amount.




This is a major setback for the Chapter having had so many plans that got 
sidelined over confrontations to get the issue resolved. It is my hope that we 
will mobilize through this trying time and come out better and more 
accountable. I would also like to take this opportunity to thanks Asaf for his 
support in this matter.



On Behalf of the Board,
Alex Wafula



Dear all,

As many know, in Wikimedia Spain we are dealing with a very nasty business. 

While we were preparing our financial report we caught our former secretary
 stealing money from our chapter.


The stolen amount is in the vicinity of 2500 euros. He even left a 
debt of ~100 euros that I have personally covered. It may not seem 
much, but it was all we had.

The former secretary never
 gave access to the new treasurer, he just made it look like the bank 
was delaying the process of the change of treasurers.

He also sent us 
falsified extracts of the account and the amount of money in it.

We were
 so concerned with the behaviour of the bank that we were about to 
change to another one. And then we received a call from the bank saying 
our account was in debt.

When confronted, the former secretary 
confessed. All the data are clear, for the bank's official reports are 
avaliable now.


Also, with the gently support of the WMF, in the persons of Asaf, 
Garfield and Jay, we have already start all the legal actions needed 
according to Spanish law, including formal complaint to the Police and all the 
papers with the Bank. We have prepared an official statement too, "just in 
case" any spanish media want to discuss the case.






This has been a huge blow for us, as you can imagine. Fortunately, 
it has been only one person and the rest of the members of WMES are now 
trying to re-boost our chapter. Of course, by september will be a 
General Assembly, for all the Board have resign with the aim to lead a 
transparent process.


Best regards,



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Re: [Wikimedia Kenya] WMKE Financial Status

[Oliver Stegen]

Dear all,

 

Sad as this episode in the beginning history of WMKE has been, we're at
least one step further now than we were a month ago. Rather than
culprit-bashing, I'd rather prefer to see us utilizing this as an
opportunity to inspect ourselves and our motives. Let's recognise that each
of us is easily tempted (granted, everyone in different domains) and let's
rectify ourselves where we have selfish motives and don't contribute to WMKE
for the common good.

We have already been told that "it will be Stephen's responsibility to
return the amount". Let the remainder of the board decide on a time-frame
for that. Only if Steve does not fulfill his responsibility, can next steps
be called for but certainly not just a couple of days after the initial
announcement of what has happened. Don't fall into the trap of revenge and
escalation but rather concentrate on what is needful now to keep WMKE moving
towards our common goal of the sum of human knowledge being available to
every one of our fellow citizens of this planet.

 

Grace and peace,

Oliver (aka BT)

 

  _  

From: Kosgei Isaac [mailto:kips8505...@gmail.com] 
Sent: 05 October 2012 09:19
To: The discussion list for the Wikimedia Kenya chapter.
Subject: Re: [Wikimedia Kenya] WMKE Financial Status

 

Hi,
Abbas, I agree with you on this. It is a shame that after all the Mess at
Wikimedia Kenya, Steve has not issued an apology on this. 
In my opinion I think WMKE should take action because embezzlement of
chapter funds is a crime that should not go unpunished. 
I have copied Steve on this thread and I stress that action should be taken.

On 5 October 2012 09:00, Abbas Mahmood  wrote:

Hi all,

 

(I've cc-ed Steve, just to make sure he gets this message: I'm not sure
whether he's still subscribed to this list).

 

Steve: After keeping up with this whole charade for months now, and being
the primary cause of this mess that we're Wikimedia Kenya is in, the least
that you could do is issue a public apology for your heinous actions.

 

Sincerely

Abbas Mahmood

  _  

Date: Wed, 3 Oct 2012 19:10:09 +0300
From: xelaw...@gmail.com
To: wikimediake@lists.wikimedia.org
Subject: [Wikimedia Kenya] WMKE Financial Status



Hi all,

As most of you already know, we have had concerns raised over our finances
surrounding suspicions of embezzlement of funds by our treasurer. I am sad
to confirm these suspicions. Stephen Wanjau, the treasurer has come forward
and admitted to the Board that he has used part of the funds for personal
non-chapter expenses amounting to approximately USD. 800 and resigned from
the Board effective immediately.

We will now move to wire back the remaining funds to WMF for keeping until
we have our own bank account and more than one signatory for the same. As
for the embezzled funds, it will be Stephen's responsibility to return the
amount.

This is a major setback for the Chapter having had so many plans that got
sidelined over confrontations to get the issue resolved. It is my hope that
we will mobilize through this trying time and come out better and more
accountable. I would also like to take this opportunity to thanks Asaf for
his support in this matter.

On Behalf of the Board,
Alex Wafula



Dear all,

As many know, in Wikimedia Spain we are dealing with a very nasty business. 

While we were preparing our financial report we caught our former secretary
stealing money from our chapter.

The stolen amount is in the vicinity of 2500 euros. He even left a debt of
~100 euros that I have personally covered. It may not seem much, but it was
all we had.

The former secretary never gave access to the new treasurer, he just made it
look like the bank was delaying the process of the change of treasurers.

He also sent us falsified extracts of the account and the amount of money in
it.

We were so concerned with the behaviour of the bank that we were about to
change to another one. And then we received a call from the bank saying our
account was in debt.

When confronted, the former secretary confessed. All the data are clear, for
the bank's official reports are avaliable now.


Also, with the gently support of the WMF, in the persons of Asaf, Garfield
and Jay, we have already start all the legal actions needed according to
Spanish law, including formal complaint to the Police and all the papers
with the Bank. We have prepared an official statement too, "just in case"
any spanish media want to discuss the case.

This has been a huge blow for us, as you can imagine. Fortunately, it has
been only one person and the rest of the members of WMES are now trying to
re-boost our chapter. Of course, by september will be a General Assembly,
for all the Board have resign with the aim to lead a transparent process.

Best regards,



___ WikimediaKE mailing list
Wik

Re: [Wikimedia Kenya] WMKE Financial Status

[Kosgei Isaac]

Hi,
Abbas, I agree with you on this. It is a shame that after all the Mess at
Wikimedia Kenya, Steve has not issued an apology on this.
In my opinion I think WMKE should take action because embezzlement of
chapter funds is a crime that should not go unpunished.
I have copied Steve on this thread and I stress that action should be taken.

On 5 October 2012 09:00, Abbas Mahmood  wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> (I've cc-ed Steve, just to make sure he gets this message: I'm not sure
> whether he's still subscribed to this list).
>
> Steve: After keeping up with this whole charade for months now, and being
> the primary cause of this mess that we’re Wikimedia Kenya is in, the
> least that you could do is issue a public apology for your heinous actions.
>
> Sincerely
> Abbas Mahmood
> --
> Date: Wed, 3 Oct 2012 19:10:09 +0300
> From: xelaw...@gmail.com
> To: wikimediake@lists.wikimedia.org
> Subject: [Wikimedia Kenya] WMKE Financial Status
>
>
> Hi all,
>
> As most of you already know, we have had concerns raised over our finances
> surrounding suspicions of embezzlement of funds by our treasurer. I am sad
> to confirm these suspicions. Stephen Wanjau, the treasurer has come forward
> and admitted to the Board that he has used part of the funds for personal
> non-chapter expenses amounting to approximately USD. 800 and resigned from
> the Board effective immediately.
>
> We will now move to wire back the remaining funds to WMF for keeping until
> we have our own bank account and more than one signatory for the same. As
> for the embezzled funds, it will be Stephen's responsibility to return the
> amount.
>
> This is a major setback for the Chapter having had so many plans that got
> sidelined over confrontations to get the issue resolved. It is my hope that
> we will mobilize through this trying time and come out better and more
> accountable. I would also like to take this opportunity to thanks Asaf for
> his support in this matter.
>
> On Behalf of the Board,
> Alex Wafula
>
>
>
> Dear all,
>
> As many know, in Wikimedia Spain we are dealing with a very nasty
> business.
>
> While we were preparing our financial report we caught our former
> secretary stealing money from our chapter.
>
> The stolen amount is in the vicinity of 2500 euros. He even left a debt of
> ~100 euros that I have personally covered. It may not seem much, but it was
> all we had.
>
> The former secretary never gave access to the new treasurer, he just made
> it look like the bank was delaying the process of the change of treasurers
> .
>
> He also sent us falsified extracts of the account and the amount of money
> in it.
>
> We were so concerned with the behaviour of the bank that we were about to
> change to another one. And then we received a call from the bank saying
> our account was in debt.
>
> When confronted, the former secretary confessed. All the data are clear,
> for the bank's official reports are avaliable now.
>
> Also, with the gently support of the WMF, in the persons of Asaf, Garfield
> and Jay, we have already start all the legal actions needed according to
> Spanish law, including formal complaint to the Police and all the papers
> with the Bank. We have prepared an official statement too, "just in case"
> any spanish media want to discuss the case.
>
> This has been a huge blow for us, as you can imagine. Fortunately, it has
> been only one person and the rest of the members of WMES are now trying to
> re-boost our chapter. Of course, by september will be a General Assembly,
> for all the Board have resign with the aim to lead a transparent process.
>
> Best regards,
>
>
> ___ WikimediaKE mailing list
> WikimediaKE@lists.wikimedia.org
> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediake
>
> ___
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> WikimediaKE@lists.wikimedia.org
> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediake
>
>
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Re: [Wikimedia Kenya] WMKE Financial Status

[Abbas Mahmood]

Hi all,
(I've cc-ed Steve, just to make sure he gets this message: I'm not sure whether 
he's still subscribed to this list).
Steve: After keeping up with this whole charade for months now, and being the 
primary cause of this mess that we’re Wikimedia Kenya is in, the least that you 
could do is issue a public apology for your heinous actions.
SincerelyAbbas Mahmood
Date: Wed, 3 Oct 2012 19:10:09 +0300
From: xelaw...@gmail.com
To: wikimediake@lists.wikimedia.org
Subject: [Wikimedia Kenya] WMKE Financial Status

Hi all,

As most of you already know, we have had concerns raised over our finances 
surrounding suspicions of embezzlement of funds by our treasurer. I am sad to 
confirm these suspicions. Stephen Wanjau, the treasurer has come forward and 
admitted to the Board that he has used part of the funds for personal 
non-chapter expenses amounting to approximately USD. 800 and resigned from the 
Board effective immediately.



We will now move to wire back the remaining funds to WMF for keeping until we 
have our own bank account and more than one signatory for the same. As for the 
embezzled funds, it will be Stephen's responsibility to return the amount.



This is a major setback for the Chapter having had so many plans that got 
sidelined over confrontations to get the issue resolved. It is my hope that we 
will mobilize through this trying time and come out better and more 
accountable. I would also like to take this opportunity to thanks Asaf for his 
support in this matter.


On Behalf of the Board,
Alex Wafula



Dear all,

As many know, in Wikimedia Spain we are dealing with a very nasty business. 

While we were preparing our financial report we caught our former secretary
 stealing money from our chapter.


The stolen amount is in the vicinity of 2500 euros. He even left a 
debt of ~100 euros that I have personally covered. It may not seem 
much, but it was all we had.

The former secretary never
 gave access to the new treasurer, he just made it look like the bank 
was delaying the process of the change of treasurers.

He also sent us 
falsified extracts of the account and the amount of money in it.

We were
 so concerned with the behaviour of the bank that we were about to 
change to another one. And then we received a call from the bank saying 
our account was in debt.

When confronted, the former secretary 
confessed. All the data are clear, for the bank's official reports are 
avaliable now.


Also, with the gently support of the WMF, in the persons of Asaf, 
Garfield and Jay, we have already start all the legal actions needed 
according to Spanish law, including formal complaint to the Police and all the 
papers with the Bank. We have prepared an official statement too, "just in 
case" any spanish media want to discuss the case.





This has been a huge blow for us, as you can imagine. Fortunately, 
it has been only one person and the rest of the members of WMES are now 
trying to re-boost our chapter. Of course, by september will be a 
General Assembly, for all the Board have resign with the aim to lead a 
transparent process.


Best regards,



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Re: [Wikimedia Kenya] WMKE Financial Status

[Kimathi Gituma]

Wikiquote quote of the day sums it all for me:

For honest merit to succeed amid the tricks and intrigues which are
now so lamentably common, I know is difficult; but the honor of
success is increased by the obstacles which are to be surmounted. Let
me triumph as that man or not at all.

  --Rutherford B. Hayes




On Wed, Oct 3, 2012 at 7:54 PM, Asaf Bartov  wrote:
> Thank you, Alex, for disclosing the matter to the general membership.
>
> As Alex wrote, WMF is requiring WMKE to return all the remaining grant funds
> for safekeeping, until WMKE gets its financial controls in place: an audit
> of all the expenditure so far out of the grant money, beyond the money
> misappropriated by Stephen; a dedicated, joint bank account with at least
> two board members as signatories; replacement board members (naturally, we
> expect Stephen not to be re-elected); and a functioning audit committee.
>
> This is indeed a disappointing development, and no doubt a demoralizing one.
> Nevertheless, WMKE can and should take this as a challenge -- a form of
> growing pains -- and come out stronger and more mature.  I'd recommend the
> general membership do whatever it takes (probably a face-to-face meeting?)
> to work this out and bury the hatchet, so that we can all move on and get
> back to promoting the Wikimedia Vision in Kenya.
>
> Best regards,
>
>Asaf
>
>
> On Wed, Oct 3, 2012 at 9:42 AM, Kosgei Isaac  wrote:
>>
>> Thanks Alex,
>> We always had this suspicion and it has really affected the chapter.
>> I am not sure what the next step is and what action the board and the
>> foundation will take regarding this so that it will serve as an example to
>> others.
>> Secondly we NEED an audit of all the funds because I personally had doubts
>> with most of the expenses.
>> Hope this gets sorted soon.
>> Thanks
>>
>> On Oct 3, 2012 7:10 PM, "Alex Wafula"  wrote:
>>>
>>> Hi all,
>>>
>>> As most of you already know, we have had concerns raised over our
>>> finances surrounding suspicions of embezzlement of funds by our treasurer. I
>>> am sad to confirm these suspicions. Stephen Wanjau, the treasurer has come
>>> forward and admitted to the Board that he has used part of the funds for
>>> personal non-chapter expenses amounting to approximately USD. 800 and
>>> resigned from the Board effective immediately.
>>>
>>> We will now move to wire back the remaining funds to WMF for keeping
>>> until we have our own bank account and more than one signatory for the same.
>>> As for the embezzled funds, it will be Stephen's responsibility to return
>>> the amount.
>>>
>>> This is a major setback for the Chapter having had so many plans that got
>>> sidelined over confrontations to get the issue resolved. It is my hope that
>>> we will mobilize through this trying time and come out better and more
>>> accountable. I would also like to take this opportunity to thanks Asaf for
>>> his support in this matter.
>>>
>>> On Behalf of the Board,
>>> Alex Wafula
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Dear all,
>>>
>>> As many know, in Wikimedia Spain we are dealing with a very nasty
>>> business.
>>>
>>> While we were preparing our financial report we caught our former
>>> secretary stealing money from our chapter.
>>>
>>> The stolen amount is in the vicinity of 2500 euros. He even left a debt
>>> of ~100 euros that I have personally covered. It may not seem much, but it
>>> was all we had.
>>>
>>> The former secretary never gave access to the new treasurer, he just made
>>> it look like the bank was delaying the process of the change of treasurers.
>>>
>>> He also sent us falsified extracts of the account and the amount of money
>>> in it.
>>>
>>> We were so concerned with the behaviour of the bank that we were about to
>>> change to another one. And then we received a call from the bank saying our
>>> account was in debt.
>>>
>>> When confronted, the former secretary confessed. All the data are clear,
>>> for the bank's official reports are avaliable now.
>>>
>>> Also, with the gently support of the WMF, in the persons of Asaf,
>>> Garfield and Jay, we have already start all the legal actions needed
>>> according to Spanish law, including formal complaint to the Police and all
>>> the papers with the Bank. We have prepared an official statement too, "just
>>> in case" any spanish media want to discuss the case.
>>>
>>> This has been a huge blow for us, as you can imagine. Fortunately, it has
>>> been only one person and the rest of the members of WMES are now trying to
>>> re-boost our chapter. Of course, by september will be a General Assembly,
>>> for all the Board have resign with the aim to lead a transparent process.
>>>
>>> Best regards,
>>>
>>>
>>> ___
>>> WikimediaKE mailing list
>>> WikimediaKE@lists.wikimedia.org
>>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediake
>>>
>>
>> ___
>> WikimediaKE mailing list
>> 

Re: [Wikimedia Kenya] WMKE Financial Status

[Asaf Bartov]

Thank you, Alex, for disclosing the matter to the general membership.

As Alex wrote, WMF is requiring WMKE to return all the remaining grant
funds for safekeeping, until WMKE gets its financial controls in place: an
audit of all the expenditure so far out of the grant money, beyond the
money misappropriated by Stephen; a dedicated, joint bank account with at
least two board members as signatories; replacement board members
(naturally, we expect Stephen not to be re-elected); and a functioning
audit committee.

This is indeed a disappointing development, and no doubt a demoralizing
one.  Nevertheless, WMKE can and should take this as a challenge -- a form
of growing pains -- and come out stronger and more mature.  I'd recommend
the general membership do whatever it takes (probably a face-to-face
meeting?) to work this out and bury the hatchet, so that we can all move on
and get back to promoting the Wikimedia Vision in Kenya.

Best regards,

   Asaf

On Wed, Oct 3, 2012 at 9:42 AM, Kosgei Isaac  wrote:

> Thanks Alex,
> We always had this suspicion and it has really affected the chapter.
> I am not sure what the next step is and what action the board and the
> foundation will take regarding this so that it will serve as an example to
> others.
> Secondly we NEED an audit of all the funds because I personally had doubts
> with most of the expenses.
> Hope this gets sorted soon.
> Thanks
> On Oct 3, 2012 7:10 PM, "Alex Wafula"  wrote:
>
>>  Hi all,
>>
>> As most of you already know, we have had concerns raised over our
>> finances surrounding suspicions of embezzlement of funds by our treasurer.
>> I am sad to confirm these suspicions. Stephen Wanjau, the treasurer has
>> come forward and admitted to the Board that he has used part of the funds
>> for personal non-chapter expenses amounting to approximately USD. 800 and
>> resigned from the Board effective immediately.
>>
>> We will now move to wire back the remaining funds to WMF for keeping
>> until we have our own bank account and more than one signatory for the
>> same. As for the embezzled funds, it will be Stephen's responsibility to
>> return the amount.
>>
>> This is a major setback for the Chapter having had so many plans that got
>> sidelined over confrontations to get the issue resolved. It is my hope that
>> we will mobilize through this trying time and come out better and more
>> accountable. I would also like to take this opportunity to thanks Asaf for
>> his support in this matter.
>>
>> On Behalf of the Board,
>> Alex Wafula
>>
>>
>>
>> Dear all,
>>
>> As many know, in Wikimedia Spain we are dealing with a very nasty
>> business.
>>
>> While we were preparing our financial report we caught our former
>> secretary stealing money from our chapter.
>>
>> The stolen amount is in the vicinity of 2500 euros. He even left a debt
>> of ~100 euros that I have personally covered. It may not seem much, but it
>> was all we had.
>>
>> The former secretary never gave access to the new treasurer, he just
>> made it look like the bank was delaying the process of the change of
>> treasurers.
>>
>> He also sent us falsified extracts of the account and the amount of money
>> in it.
>>
>> We were so concerned with the behaviour of the bank that we were about
>> to change to another one. And then we received a call from the banksaying 
>> our account was in debt.
>>
>> When confronted, the former secretary confessed. All the data are clear,
>> for the bank's official reports are avaliable now.
>>
>> Also, with the gently support of the WMF, in the persons of Asaf,
>> Garfield and Jay, we have already start all the legal actions needed
>> according to Spanish law, including formal complaint to the Police and
>> all the papers with the Bank. We have prepared an official statement
>> too, "just in case" any spanish media want to discuss the case.
>>
>> This has been a huge blow for us, as you can imagine. Fortunately, it has
>> been only one person and the rest of the members of WMES are now trying to
>> re-boost our chapter. Of course, by september will be a General Assembly,
>> for all the Board have resign with the aim to lead a transparent process.
>>
>> Best regards,
>>
>>
>> ___
>> WikimediaKE mailing list
>> WikimediaKE@lists.wikimedia.org
>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediake
>>
>>
> ___
> WikimediaKE mailing list
> WikimediaKE@lists.wikimedia.org
> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediake
>
>


-- 
Asaf Bartov
Wikimedia Foundation 

Imagine a world in which every single human being can freely share in the
sum of all knowledge. Help us make it a reality!
https://donate.wikimedia.org
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Re: [Wikimedia Kenya] WMKE Financial Status

[Kosgei Isaac]

Thanks Alex,
We always had this suspicion and it has really affected the chapter.
I am not sure what the next step is and what action the board and the
foundation will take regarding this so that it will serve as an example to
others.
Secondly we NEED an audit of all the funds because I personally had doubts
with most of the expenses.
Hope this gets sorted soon.
Thanks
On Oct 3, 2012 7:10 PM, "Alex Wafula"  wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> As most of you already know, we have had concerns raised over our finances
> surrounding suspicions of embezzlement of funds by our treasurer. I am sad
> to confirm these suspicions. Stephen Wanjau, the treasurer has come forward
> and admitted to the Board that he has used part of the funds for personal
> non-chapter expenses amounting to approximately USD. 800 and resigned from
> the Board effective immediately.
>
> We will now move to wire back the remaining funds to WMF for keeping until
> we have our own bank account and more than one signatory for the same. As
> for the embezzled funds, it will be Stephen's responsibility to return the
> amount.
>
> This is a major setback for the Chapter having had so many plans that got
> sidelined over confrontations to get the issue resolved. It is my hope that
> we will mobilize through this trying time and come out better and more
> accountable. I would also like to take this opportunity to thanks Asaf for
> his support in this matter.
>
> On Behalf of the Board,
> Alex Wafula
>
>
>
> Dear all,
>
> As many know, in Wikimedia Spain we are dealing with a very nasty
> business.
>
> While we were preparing our financial report we caught our former
> secretary stealing money from our chapter.
>
> The stolen amount is in the vicinity of 2500 euros. He even left a debt of
> ~100 euros that I have personally covered. It may not seem much, but it was
> all we had.
>
> The former secretary never gave access to the new treasurer, he just made
> it look like the bank was delaying the process of the change of treasurers
> .
>
> He also sent us falsified extracts of the account and the amount of money
> in it.
>
> We were so concerned with the behaviour of the bank that we were about to
> change to another one. And then we received a call from the bank saying
> our account was in debt.
>
> When confronted, the former secretary confessed. All the data are clear,
> for the bank's official reports are avaliable now.
>
> Also, with the gently support of the WMF, in the persons of Asaf, Garfield
> and Jay, we have already start all the legal actions needed according to
> Spanish law, including formal complaint to the Police and all the papers
> with the Bank. We have prepared an official statement too, "just in case"
> any spanish media want to discuss the case.
>
> This has been a huge blow for us, as you can imagine. Fortunately, it has
> been only one person and the rest of the members of WMES are now trying to
> re-boost our chapter. Of course, by september will be a General Assembly,
> for all the Board have resign with the aim to lead a transparent process.
>
> Best regards,
>
>
> ___
> WikimediaKE mailing list
> WikimediaKE@lists.wikimedia.org
> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediake
>
>
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