MONROVIA — Boye Kokai, one of the recently dismissed employees of the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC), has accused Civil Service Agency (CSA) Director General Josiah Joekai of orchestrating his termination due to a longstanding personal and political grudge.
In an interview with The Liberian Investigator on Thursday, August 20, 2024, via mobile phone, Kokai claimed that Joekai, who ran unsuccessfully for the Montserrado County District #3 seat in 2017, has targeted him since he refused to support Joekai’s campaign.
Kokai, who served at the MCC for four years, was one of nine employees dismissed on August 13, 2024.
The dismissals were announced during a press briefing at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism (MICAT), where CSA boss Josiah Joekai accused the employees of engaging in a “deadly social media campaign” against senior public officials, including President Joseph Boakai.
According to the termination letters, copies of which are in the possession of this news outlet, the employees’ actions allegedly “tarnished the MCC’s reputation” and included insults directed at the presidency and other government officials.
However, Kokai has vehemently denied these allegations, insisting that his dismissal was politically motivated.
“For someone to say I went on Facebook to insult President Joseph Boakai and other government officials is false and misleading. There is no evidence anywhere to prove that I have posted a single comment on social media or spoken on the radio insulting the presidency,” Kokai stated.
He believes that his refusal to support Joekai during the 2017 elections is the real reason behind his dismissal.
Kokai recounted how Joekai personally asked him and other young men from their district to support his campaign, but they had already committed their support to Cllr. Kanio Bah Gbala, a member of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC).
This decision, according to Kokai, led to a series of conflicts, culminating in Joekai visiting Kokai’s home at midnight with three other men to confront him.
“In the presence of my family members, Josiah Joekai attacked me. He has held onto this malice ever since, and now that he holds a powerful position, he has extended that malice to my professional life,” Kokai alleged.
Kokai also pointed to rumors that had been circulating since the start of MCC boss John Siaffa’s administration, labeling certain employees as “CDCians” and marking them for termination.
He believes his name was on that list due to his association with the former City Mayor and his perceived political affiliations.
In response to his dismissal, Kokai has vowed to pursue legal action against Joekai, accusing him of violating his constitutional rights.
“What Joekai has done is violate my constitutional right, which is Article 18: my freedom of speech. Joekai will meet me in court, and I won’t compromise on this,” Kokai asserted.
He further expressed concerns for his safety, stating that his life is now at risk due to the public nature of the allegations against him and the threats he has received since his dismissal.
“I am calling on the international community, especially the United States embassy. My life is at risk. I do not feel secure in this country. Josiah Joekai has endangered my safety and exposed me to the public,” Kokai said.
The controversy surrounding the dismissals has drawn significant attention, with many questioning whether political biases influenced the decision.
When contacted, Josiah Joekai declined to comment on the matter, directing inquiries to the CSA’s communications department.
The CSA, however, issued a warning on August 19, 2024, cautioning public servants against inappropriate behavior and emphasizing the importance of maintaining professionalism in the civil service.
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