Athi Water Chief Executive Officer Eng Michael Thuita has resigned from his position, just hours after Chief of Staff and Head of the Public Service Felix Koskei called for his suspension. The resignation comes amidst allegations of financial impropriety and mismanagement at the company.
The agency said in a press release on Saturday that Joseph Kamau will take over as acting CEO.
“Engineer Micheal M Thuita has resigned as Chief Executive Officer. Consequently, Engineer Joseph Mungai Kamau will perform the functions of the CEO in an acting capacity with immediate effect.”
On Friday, Koskei asked the Board of the Athi Water Works Development Agency to suspend Thuita and the Board of Central Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency to suspend its Chief Executive Officer Eng Samuel Oruma.
“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,” the statement read.
The Head of Public Service in letters to the chairmen of the two boards said the two CEOs are in office, notwithstanding the gravity of allegations and the quantum of resources under inquiry. 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. This comes after the Water CS Alice Wahome ignored EACC’s recommendation to have the CEO suspended.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission chief executive officer Twalib Mbarak on May 14, 2023 wrote to CS Wahome and recommended Thuita’s suspension over the tender issue.
“The CEO, being the accounting officer of the agency was involved in the implementation of these three projects. Therefore, there is a likelihood that his being in the office will interfere with the smooth provision of documents and persons who may be called upon as witnesses,” the EACC boss said.
