NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 23 — Michael Thuita has resigned as Athi Water CEO following his arrest by Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) in a corruption investigation.
In a statement released on Saturday, Chairperson of Athi Water Board Charles Karondo named Mungai Kamau the acting CEO with immediate effect.
“Michael Thuita has resigned as CEO of Athi Water Works Development Agency with immediate effect. Consequently, Joseph Mungai Kamau will perform the functions of the CEO in acting capacity,” he said.
Thuita resignation followed a directive by the Head of Public Service Felix Koskei to the Athi Water Board to suspend him.
Koskei ordered Thuita’s suspension on account of an ongoing inquiry into irregularities in the procurement of the Ruiru II, Karimenu, and Kitui Matuu water projects.
“The suspension of Thuita is pending investigations into alleged irregularities in the award of tender for construction of Ruiru II, Karimenu and Kitui Matuu water projects undertaken by the agency,” State House announced.
The directive came even as it emerged Water, Irrigation and Sanitation Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome had declined a request by EACC to suspend Thuita to facilitate an investigation.
On May 31, CS Wahome wrote to EACC maintaining that there wasn’t enough evidence to support the suspension request against Thuita and the alleged offences.
“The subject matter should be investigations into procurement illegalities in the award of tender of the projects mentioned in your said letter and not suspension as referenced above,” she said.
“To enable me to consider the recommended action of suspension of the officer alleged to have been involved in the irregularities, kindly let me have the letter of complaint or the complaint file.”
EACC had written to Wahome on May 24 noting that CEO Thuita had been adversely mentioned in tendering malpractices and irregularities in the Ruiru Dam II project, Karimenu and the Kitui Matuu Water projects.
