Central Rift Valley Water Works Chief Executive Officer Samuel Oruma has been sent on leave following an ongoing investigation into alleged procurement flaws.
This follows a directive that was given by the Head of Public Service Felix Koskei last week.
Oruma who was kicked out of his office on Tuesday, September 26, is being investigated over Ksh1.7 billion procurement of the Longisa-Mulot Water Project in Bomet County.
“Why are you chasing me away and there is no scandal I have committed?” he queried.
According to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the CEO had irregularly awarded the tender to China Railways No. 10 Engineering Group Ltd.
EACC also accused Oruma of irregularly changing the specifications of the steel pipes meant to be used for the project to glass reinforced pipes (GRP), which are believed to be inferior.
In the full glare of cameras, police officers unceremoniously ejected the Central Rift Valley Water Works CEO after issuing him with a suspension notice.
Visibly shaken, Oruma was escorted out of the premises much to the shock of the company's employees.
He however denied all the accusations leveled against him claiming to be the victim of a witchhunt initiated by Koskei.
"He has on several occasions written other letters not only that one, asking the same board to push the CEO out even including matters concerning tribal balance which the CEO does not really control," Oruma stated.
Further, he distanced himself from the Bomet Project graft allegations, asserting that no funds had been misappropriated.
"I want to set the record straight, there is no money lost in Bomet block. The investigation being done is about the tendering process which was done by my predecessor. I only got to be thne CEO when the project is ongoing," he declared.
The ex-CEO maintained that he only made sure the procurements approved by his predecessor were made.
Oruma's firing comes just days after Athi Water Works Development Agency CEO Engineer Michael Thuita resigned following similar allegations of irregularly awarding tenders.
