Ushahidi, a Kenyan non-profit software company says it has dismissed its Chief Executive Daudi Were following sexual harassment allegations raised by a former employee of the company, Angela Kabari.
“Following exhaustive consideration of the testimonies and evidence tabled by the respective parties in a sexual harassment claim, the board of Ushahidi has dismissed Executive Director, Daudi Were, with immediate effect.” The company said in a statement on its website.
Angela Kabari revealed that Daudi verbally asked her to have sex with another colleague while on a retreat in January this year.
Over the past few weeks, there has been growing pressure from the public for the firm to act.
“In arriving at its decision, therefore, the board took all necessary steps to ensure fairness and respect for the human rights of the parties involved. Due process was followed in accordance with Kenyan employment laws, and, as the company is domiciled in the United States, American law related to sexual harassment was also applied.” read part of the statement.
According to people familiar with the matter, the decision to remove Mr Were is also a financial gamble for the company, which has depended on donors who bring in millions in grants each year to aid social activism causes.
Replaced
Nat Manning, who has been Ushahidi Chief Operations Officer, will stand in as interim Executive Director.
