In an unsigned statement from Ushahidi, the firm says it’s fully aware of the alleged sexual harassment claim and is investigating the matter to make sure both parties are heard and then action will be taken.
However, one of the victims says the tone of the statement shows why it has taken the board years to do anything about it and the accused is still in office representing the company.
“The Ushahidi Board is fully aware of an alleged sexual harassment claim lodged by an employee (who has since chosen to leave the company), against one of our senior employees and has prioritised an internal inquiry into the matter,” said part of the statement. “Ushahidi, as a matter of policy and practice, does not in any way condone sexual harassment and treats any such allegation seriously.”
Just as one of the victim claimed, the unsigned statement from the Board confirms to have ‘offered avenues for due process to the Parties involved……Investigations are still underway and once they are complete, the Board will act appropriately as permitted by Law and Ushahidi Policies.”
Though the firm says it is taking the claim seriously, it seems its tough job ended when one of the accusers resigned from the firm, reducing the threat and burden to the exemplary board. With the aggravated out of sight, the accused executive might as well do everything to clean up the house and frustrate any more internal investigations.
With the accused still in charge of the company, the victim (s) is already betrayed and silenced and pushed to the gutter and the noise will subside. To the victim (s), it needed the board to be emphatic enough to ask all the accused executives to step aside, hire an independent legal firm to carry out investigations and not rely on its own legal team but in a jungle, the strong survive and this is the last to hear of such claims as the move quietly silences every employee. So any future case will mean the victim keeps quiet and complies or resigns. However, the current economic conditions-over 40 percent unemployment in Kenya, resigning would be the last option.
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See full statement below
Statement from Ushahidi Board on alleged sexual harassment claim
We wish to make the following clarifications on the alleged sexual harassment claim:
The Ushahidi Board is fully aware of an alleged sexual harassment claim lodged by an employee (who has since chosen to leave the company), against one of our senior employees and has prioritised an internal inquiry into the matter.
Ushahidi, as a matter of policy and practice, does not in any way condone sexual harassment and treats any such allegation seriously.
The Board has offered avenues for due process to the Parties involved, assisted by their Legal Counsel, and has undertaken reasonable steps to ensure they are afforded a fair hearing in accordance with the Laws of Kenya and our internal policies and procedures. Investigations are still underway and once they are complete, the Board will act appropriately as permitted by Law and Ushahidi Policies.
At Ushahidi, we pride ourselves in our efforts to help give a voice to those marginalised in Society and encourage those who serve them to listen and respond effectively. We consistently encourage all staff members to live by our vision and values and therefore welcome the transparency and candour of the Staff Members involved.
We wish to reiterate that we are taking this claim seriously and will strive to seek a fair and just conclusion to the matter in accordance with the Law as soon as is reasonably possible.
