The process of appointing a Director General for the newly established National Industrial Training Authority was not transparent, the Federation of Kenya Employers has said.

FKE said the safety of more than Sh600 million in accumulated funds under the industrial training levy system is now at stake as integrity issues come into play.

It said the Minister for Labour John Munyes and a section of NITA board rushed to gazette the name of a candidate barely two days after the interviews were done.

Munyes gazetted the appointment of Patrick Omutia as the DG for NITA on November 2. FKE chairman Erastus Mwongera said the process was incomplete because due diligent was not done.

"Employers demand that full due diligence be done on the candidates to give assurance that the person selected is fit to hold such high office and drive the changes expected," said Mwongera.

He said the former Directorate of Industrial Training never fulfilled its mandate and a similar trend should not be allowed to continue.

"The manner and speed with which the appointment was done raises suspicion and fear of the safety of the funds at the entity."

He said a section of the board installed the candidate into office without the knowledge of other board members including employer representatives. FKE wants Munyes to respond to issues it raised in a letter and act in good faith to ensure due diligence is done.