Central Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency CEO Samuel Oruma has been sent on compulsory leave four days after Head of Public Service Felix Koskei asked the Board to suspend him pending an investigation into alleged procurement irregularities.
Police on Tuesday were on call to see Oruma out of office as he protested the move saying he had already filled and signed his leave application and won't leave until the due date.
"I'm still in office, kwanini wanifukuze?" he asked as made his way back to his office, saying he was ready to record a statement if need be.
"I don't have a problem, wacha investigation ifanyike but I need protection from the government. I don't have a problem, there is no scandal here. You can see, my first year in office, we were the best performers in the ministry," Oruma said in the glare of media cameras.
He said his record speaks for itself as his office was the best performing over the past one year out of about 300 other parastatals.
The besieged CEO dismissed claims that he drew a gun and threatened to shoot board members serving him with compulsory leave.
"No, no, no, hakuna hiyo. Ni mtu amenigonga, amenigonga sana but anyway," Oruma said.
In a letter dated September 22 and dispatched by State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed, Koskei asked the board to suspend Oruma in relation to alleged procurement irregularities in the implementation of the Water Supply and Sanitation System for Bomet/Longisa/Mulot towns within the jurisdiction of the Central Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency.
The projects were worth Sh1.7 billion.
In the letter, Koskei, who doubles as the Chief of Staff, also asked the Board of Athi Water Works Development Agency to suspend its CEO Michael Thuita pending investigations into alleged procurement irregularities in the award of tender in the construction of Ruiru II, Karimenu, and Kitui Matuu water projects.
"The head of Public Service in letters to the chairmen of the two boards says the two CEOs are in office, notwithstanding the gravity of allegations and the quantum of resources under inquiry," read part of the letter.
"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."
Thuita tendered his resignation on Saturday, September 23, 2023.
On Saturday, Water CS Alice Wahome denied Koskei's claims that her ministry was undermining the government's war against corruption by refusing to implement the EACC recommendation to send Thuita on suspension.
In a statement Saturday evening, CS Wahome said investigations into the alleged impropriety were within the mandate of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.
"I have not in any way failed to cooperate with the EACC as alleged by mainstream media reports and the exercise of my discretion not to suspend Eng Thuita until the requested information is availed to me did not in any way prejudice investigations," she said.
