State House Chief of Staff Felix Koskei directed the Athi Water Works Development Agency Board to suspend its CEO Michael Thuita pending graft investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
In a statement shared on Friday, September 22, Koskei who is also the Head of Public Service directed the CEO to be suspended citing the irregularities in the award of tenders for the construction of Ruiru II, Karimenu, and Kitui Matuu water projects as the reason for Thuita’s suspension.
Koskei argued that the delayed suspension of the CEO was derailing government efforts to eradicate graft in its ranks.
Likewise, he has also asked the Central Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency Board to suspend its CEO Samuel Oruma over similar accusations involving the implementation of the Water Supply and Sanitation System for Bomet, Longisa and Mulot towns projects within the agency’s jurisdiction.
“Mr Koskei says the inordinate delay in taking action on the part of the board of directors and the ministry is undermining the government’s war against corruption,” read a statement from State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed.
The Chief of staff maintained that the two CEOs are in office, notwithstanding the gravity of the allegations and the quantum of resources under inquiry.
The statement by Koskei came hours after EACC officers arrested Thuita and forced him to lead them to two of his homes in Westlands and Rongai and his office, as they searched for documents they believed were crucial in their investigation.
Water Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome had been castigated by EACC for failing ti suspend the CEOs pending investigations.
“The law under Section 42 (7) of the Leadership and Integrity Act, 2012 provides that a public official may be suspended from office pending the investigation and determination of allegations made against them where such suspension is considered necessary,” EACC wrote.
“This is especially where the suspect, by the nature of their employment, may interfere with the witnesses or destroy, conceal or alter evidence,” the anti-graft agency added.
