Update: Athi Water Works Development Authority Chief Executive Officer Michael Thuita has been arrested by EACC detectives following allegations of fraud in the implementation of water projects valued at over Ksh50 billion.
According to EACC, the commission used its enforcement powers under the law to force cooperation after the CEO defied orders to submit to commission documents in his custody.
Head of Public Service Felix Koskei has asked the Board of the Athi Water Works Development Agency to suspend its Chief Executive Officer Michael Thuita pending investigations into alleged irregularities in the award of tender for the construction of Ruiru II, Karimenu and Kitui Matuu water projects undertaken by the agency.
This comes as questions were raised over Water CS Alice Wahome's delay in suspending Thuita following allegations of misuse of public funds.
Koskei has also asked the Board of Central Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency to suspend its CEO Samuel Ouma pending investigations into alleged procurement irregularities in the implementation of the Water Supply and Sanitation System for 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, questioned why the two CEOs are in office, despite the pending investigations.
He added that this may interfere with the ongoing investigations carried out by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
Koskei says the delay in taking action on the part of the board of directors and the ministry is undermining the government's war against corruption.
Thuita is accused of irregularly awarding three tenders between 2012 and 2018, which amounted to billions of shillings.
The first tender awarded was for the design and construction of the Karimenu II dam amounting to Ksh24 billion.
The second one involved the last mile water connectivity in Tanathi area which cost Ksh720 million.
The final project was the design and construction of the Ruiru II dam at a cost of Ksh26 billion.
EACC wrote to CS Wahome on May 31, 2023, requesting Thuita's suspension to pave way for investigations into the alleged fraud.
However, the CS responded to the letter by asking for credible information to be provided against the CEO before action was taken.
