Defiance: CS Alice Wahome Faces Court Over EACC Orders
Alice Wahome, Cabinet Secretary for Water, has been charged with disobeying orders from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
In court documents obtained by GossipA2Z on Wednesday, the complainant, Caroline Wambui Mwangi, asserted that on May 24, 2023, EACC wrote to the CS requesting that she suspend a senior official of the Athi Water Works Development Agency.
She asserted that the official had served two months beyond the six-year limit prescribed for the position.
The petition stated in part, “Strangely, and for what can only be considered vested interests, the fourth respondent (Wahome) refused to act on the legal recommendation of EACC.”
“The refusal of the fourth respondent to act decisively on the EACC’s recommendations suggests a conspiracy to shield the first respondent from accountability and legal requirements for ulterior motives,”
ALSO READ: Eldoret Arrest: Uasin Gishu Senator Mandago Held
Therefore, the petitioner sought to have the official ‘permanently restrained’ from exercising the mandate, powers, or performing any duties or functions conferred on or reserved for their office.
She also demanded that an order be issued compelling the official to return all public funds, allowances, monies, and/or benefits obtained from Athi Water Works Development Agency after the official’s employment tenure ended.
In May, EACC CEO Twalib Mbarak sent a letter to the CS requesting that the official be suspended, citing an ongoing tender investigation.
In the directive that was widely reported, EACC stated that it was investigating an illegally awarded tender for the Ruiru-II, Karimenu, and Kitui Matuu Water Projects.
“The (official), being the agency’s accounting officer, was involved in the implementation of these three projects,” the letter stated at the time.
“Therefore, it is possible that his presence in the office will impede the efficient delivery of documents and witnesses who may be summoned.”
CS Wahome has not yet issued a public response to the court petition.
Defiance: CS Alice Wahome Faces Court Over EACC Orders