CS Alice Wahome defends delay in suspending Athi Water CEO Michael Thuita
Water and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome has defended herself against reports of being biased following the failure to suspend Athi Water Works Development Agency Chief Executive Officer Eng. Michael Thuita.
In a press statement, Wahome argues that she did not have enough information to effectively undertake the move further noting that her stance to not suspend Thuita did not prejudice the ongoing multi-billion tender fraud investigation against him whatsoever.
“I have not in any way failed to cooperate with the EACC as alleged by mainstream media reports and the exercise of my discretion not to suspend Eng. Thuita until the requested information is availed to me did not in any way prejudice investigations,” part of her statement read.
Wahome said she supports zero tolerance for corruption and pledged her willingness to “…uphold the rule of law and constitutionalism in handling this matter and any matter and any other that may be brought to her attention.”
— Hon Alice Wahome (@WahomeHon) September 23, 2023
Thuita who has since resigned was suspended on Friday, September 22. 2023, 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.
His suspension was ordered by the Chief of Staff and Head of the Public Service Felix Koskei in a message conveyed by State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed.
Hussein further noted that Koskei had also asked the Board of Central Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency to suspend its Chief Executive Officer Eng. Samuel Oruma pending investigations into alleged procurement irregularities in the implementation of the Water Supply and Sanitation System for the 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 says the two CEOs are in office, notwithstanding the gravity of allegations and the quantum of resources under inquiry. Mr Koskei says the inordinate delay in taking action on the part of the board of directors and the ministry is undermining the government’s war against corruption,” Mohamed stated.
