The Eldoret Water and Sanitation Company (ELDOWAS) board has appointed Dr Lawrence Tanui as the new CEO of the firm amid a row over claims of political interference in its operations.
Tanui takes over from Peter Biwott whom the board declined to renew his contract.
Chairman of the ELDOWAS board David Singoei announced the appointment of Dr Tanui saying he emerged the best among 12 other applicants who were interviewed.
Singoei admitted that there had been pressure on the board over the appointment but they based their decision purely on merit and not tribe or any other interests.
“All those we interviewed scored more than 50 percent and could have been appointed but Dr Tanui had the highest points and convinced the board about his ability to run ELDOWAS effectively,” he said.
He said the interviews and the appointment were done as per the laws guiding the firm’s operations and that anyone including the EACC were free to verify details on how the process was done.
“There were those who were pushing us to appoint the CEO based on certain interests or regions but we could not go by that because it's not provided for in our regulations”, said Singoei.
Singoei said the board had clear terms for the incoming CEO because ELDOWAS was currently on its knees and needed someone capable of streamlining its operations.
He said the company was currently collecting less than what it uses and although they are not in operations to make profits, they must operate effectively in discharging their mandate.
He said Eldoret was now a city and ELDOWAS has the mandate to ensure residents enjoy access to clean and adequate water supply.
Singoei who was with other board members said they would work with the new CEO to ensure staff and residents each enjoy their rights.
“What we don’t want is someone turning the company into something like a private entity. ELDOWAS is a public firm and has to operate as such,” said Singoei.
The board has also appointed Dr Shilla Chepkorir Arusei as the General Manager of Finance after she emerged the best among 12 candidates interviewed for the position.
The board is still working to fill up the position of General Manager of Technical Services for which 7 applicants have been interviewed.
The board chairman noted that all the three positions were advertised as per the law and the requisite procedures followed.
