The Chief of Staff and Head of the Public Service Felix Koskei has asked the Board of the Athi Water Works Development Agency to suspend its Chief Executive Officer Eng. Michael Thuita.
"The suspension of Thuita is pending investigations into alleged irregularities in the award of tender for construction of Ruiru II, Karimenuand Kitui Matuu water projects undertaken by the agency," the statement read.
Koskei has also asked the Board of Central Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency to suspend its Chief Executive Officer Eng. Samuel Oruma.
Ouma's suspension, Koskei said, is pending an investigation into alleged procurement irregularities in the implementation of the Water Supply and Sanitation System for the Bomet/Longisa/Mulot towns project within the jurisdiction of the agency.
The Head of Public Service in letters to the chairmen of the two boards said the two CEOs are in office, notwithstanding the gravity of allegations and the quantum of resources under inquiry.
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.
EACC detectives earlier in the day questioned Thuita touching on procurements at the institution
Credible sources told the Star Thuita was picked by EACC detectives at Parklands, Nairobi, and taken to EACC headquarters.
The anti-graft detectives are said to have conducted search operations at his home for documents regarding procurement.
"EACC sought and obtained court orders to search the residence and office of the Eng. Michael Thuita, which it executed this morning, 22nd September 2023, at his residence in Westlands and Ongata Rongai as well as his office along Kiambu road," officials aware of the matter told the Star.
This comes after the Water CS Alice Wahome ignored EACC's recommendation to have the CEO suspended.
EACC CEO Twalib Mbarak had recommended the suspension saying his continued stay in office will affect the ongoing probe.
The investigations concern the award of tender for the construction of Ruiru Two, Karimenu and Kitui Matuu dams that were undertaken by the agency.
“The CEO, being the accounting officer of the agency, was involved in the implementation of three projects. Therefore, there is a likelihood that his being in office will interfere with the smooth provision of documents and persons who may be called upon as witnesses,” Mbarak told the CS in a letter dated May 24.
The water projects were initiated in 2013 while Thuita was appointed in 2017, four years later.
The Water CS however declined to effect the request maintaining that there was inadequate basis to call for the suspension of the CEO.
In a correspondence, Wahome told the EACC CEO that the subject matter should be investigations into procurement matters and not suspension as referenced in his letter.
“To enable me to consider the recommended action of suspension, kindly let me have the letter of complaint or the complaint file,” she said.