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Saturday, September 23, 2023 –Chief Executive Officer CEO Athi Water Works Development Agency, Engineer Michael Thuita, has resigned from office over reports of abuse of office.
The Saturday September 23 claims surround a sh 50 billion tendering exercise within the water agency in the country.
Pressure from the Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei, informed his decision to leave office even as Water Cabinet Secretary CS Alice Wahome attempted to block the sacking plans.
Wahome who had been notified by EACC rejected the plea and instead asked for evidence first before she could take any action on Thuita.
Thuita Resignation Announced
And on Saturday afternoon, the water board chairperson Charles Kamau Karondo announced his(Thuita) immediate replacement as Mr. Mungai Kamau who will be serving in an acting capacity until investigations are complete.
“I wish to thank Michael Thuita for his service to the Agency.
“We assure all our stakeholders and the public at large that Athi Water Works Development Agency will continue to discharge its mandate effectively,” read the statement from the board chair.
Mr. Thuita will now be processed through objective investigations to ascertain the fraud that amounts into billions of shillings.
Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission EACC had flagged the officer over the acts of corruption in tendering and procurement exercise.
The EACC, established that the suspect awarded three tenders between 2012 and 2018, which amounted to over sh 50 billion.
Questionable Tendering Exercise
For instance, the first questionable tender involved the design and construction of the Karimenu II dam, valued at sh 24 billion.
The second one was the last mile water connectivity in Tanathi area which cost tax payers sh 720 million. And the third was the design and construction of the Ruiru II dam, amounting to sh 26 billion.
On May 31, this year, EACC wrote to Water Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome seeking Thuita’s suspension pending investigations.
A day later, the CS responded to the commission by requesting for proper evidence to be provided before taking any action on the matter.
This immediately created a standoff between Ruto’s men and Alice Wahome with head of Public Service Felix Koskei finally taking action against the water CEO who would shortly resign.
