Wapi Pay’s Board of Directors has announced that Edward Ndichu and Paul Ndichu, the company’s co-founders, have stepped aside from their executive positions to allow for investigations into their alleged case of Gender-Based Violence.Wapi Pay’s CEO has been Eddie Ndichu, while the Executive Director was his twin brother Paul Ndichu.
Wapi Pay announced on Tuesday, October 19 that the two will step aside immediately as the board commits to resolving the matter within the next 30 days.
“The Board of Directors of Wapi Pay would like to announce that the Company co-founders, Eddie Ndichu, who is the current Chief Executive Officer, and Paul Ndichu, the current Executive Director, will step aside with immediate effect to allow investigations to take their course,” Wapi Pay in the statement.
Wapi Pay stated that Elizabeth Kariuki, the current Chief Operating Officer (COO), will serve as interim Chief Executive Officer.
“As indicated earlier, Wapi Pay is built on, and practises, a culture of respect for all its stakeholders, employees and customers and does not tolerate any form of discrimination, including but not limited to any form of gender-based violence,” the statement read in part.
Wapi Pay made the announcement after Edward Ndichu stepped down from the Association of Fintechs in Kenya (AFIK).
The Board of the Association of Fintechs in Kenya,stated that it had taken note of Eddie’s unfortunate allegations, and that they were now being publicly discussed, particularly on social media platforms.
“On the 19th of October the Board convened a special meeting during which Mr. Ndichu stepped down as a board member pending formal investigations into the matter. The Board takes this opportunity to state that it regrets the current circumstances and does not in any way condone gender-based violence or violence of any kind,” the statement read.