EACC Alarmed By Water CS Wahome’s Refusal To Suspend Athi Water CEO
EACC is troubled by Water and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome’s refusal to suspend Athi Water Works Development Authorities CEO Michael Thuita.
EACC has expressed concern that the CEO remains in office despite their repeated requests to the CS and presentations of their grievances against him, adding that failure to suspend him could impede investigations.
The CEO is under investigation for alleged procurement fraud involving billions of dollars in public funds, and the EACC routinely suspends such officers.
“EACC is concerned that the continued stay in office by the CEO continues to affect the ongoing investigation since the suspect is the custodian of the required documents and there is a risk of compromising the many potential witnesses working under him,” a source from the commission who sought anonymity told Citizen Digital.
The commission is currently investigating the CS for her reluctance to suspend the CEO despite the anti-corruption agency’s recommendation.
“The agency is involved in massive corruption that EACC is investigating and the action of the CS in declining to suspend the officer is an affront to the ongoing efforts to tame graft in the public service, which sets a very dangerous precedent that may be taken up by other heads of public institutions that EACC routinely requires to suspend officers under probe,” the source said.
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Between 2012 and 2018, Thuita is accused of irregularly awarding three contracts totaling billions of rupees.
The first tender awarded for the design and construction of the Karimenu II dam was for Ksh.24 billion, the second was for Ksh.720 million for last-mile water connectivity and sanitation in the Tanathi area, and the third was for Ksh.26 billion for the design and construction of the proposed Ruiru II dam.
The commission recommended the suspension of Thuita in a letter to Wahome dated 31 May 2023 to facilitate an investigation, guarantee the free flow of documents, and prevent the CEO from interfering with witnesses who are his direct reports.
“On May 31, Wahome wrote back to the Commission demanding to be provided with confidential information against the CEO before any action could be taken.”
State Department of Water and Sanitation PS Kipronoh Rotich also urged the CS to suspend the CEO by the EACC’s recommendation.
EACC Alarmed By Water CS Wahome’s Refusal To Suspend Athi Water CEO