Embattled Athi water agency CEO Michael Thuita resigns
By Wycliffe Nyamasege, September 23, 2023
Embattled Athi Water Works Development Agency Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Eng. Michael Thuita has stepped down as pressure mounts over alleged involvement in a multi-billion tender fraud.
The agency’s Board Chairperson Charles Kamau Karondo confirmed Thuita’s exit in a statement on Saturday, September 23.
The agency has since picked Eng. Joseph Mungai Kamau to succeed Thuita in an acting capacity.
“Engineer Micheal M. Thuita has resigned as Chief Executive Officer. Consequently, Engineer Joseph Mungai Kamau will perform the functions of the CEO in acting capacity with immediate effect,” the agency said
Thuita was arrested on Friday facilitate the production of key documents in his custody after Water Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome failed to honour the Commission’s request to suspend the Athi Water boss from office.
“I want to thank Eng. Michael M. Thuita for his service to the Agency. We assure all our stakeholders and the Public at large that the Athi Water Works Development Agency will continue to discharge its mandate effectively.”
The CEO had been arrested by detectives from the Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (EACC) on Friday to facilitate the production of key documents in his custody after Water Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome allegedly failed to honour the commission’s request to suspend him from office.
Yesterday, Head of the Public Service Felix Koskei asked the Board to suspend the CEO, 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.
Koskei 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.
Koskei, who also doubles up as State House Chief of Staff, said the delay in suspending the officers was undermining the government’s fight against graft.