When a hyena wants to eat its children, it accuses them of smelling like goats, and to Karen Basiye, the saying could not be further from the truth.
Lately, social media has been awash with claims of professional misconduct against her, yet in any fair system, whoever alleges must prove. It is therefore reasonable to ask whether she is being targeted not for wrongdoing, but for refusing to play dirty games.
The posts circulating online paint a picture of massive financial impropriety within Safaricom Foundation and attempt to place Basiye at the centre of it all.
However, bold claims alone do not amount to evidence. Accusations of money laundering and looting of billions are serious criminal matters that require forensic audits, regulatory scrutiny and, ultimately, judicial determination. None of these have been publicly presented.
Safaricom Foundation operates within established governance structures that include board oversight, internal controls, and external audits.
Any significant financial irregularities would not simply “escape the eyes” of the institution without triggering formal processes.
In the absence of documented findings from competent authorities, what remains are allegations shared in the court of public opinion.
Basiye’s professional record in sustainability and social impact has been built over years of corporate service. It is not unreasonable to expect that firm leadership, especially in environments involving development funds, can generate friction.
Standing one’s ground in matters of accountability and compliance may not always make one popular.
Public discourse thrives on transparency, but it must also be anchored in fairness. If there are genuine concerns, they deserve proper investigation.
Until credible evidence is produced, branding an individual as culpable risks turning suspicion into stigma. In the end, justice is not served by volume of accusation, but by strength of proof.