Thuita resigns as Athi Water Works Development Agency CEO

Under-fire Athi Water Works Development Agency Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Eng. Michael M. Thuita has resigned.

The Agency's Board Chairperson Charles Kamau Karondo made the announcement in a statement seen by Citizen Digital.

Thuita will be succeeded by Eng. Joseph Mungai Kamau who will serve in an acting capacity.

"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," said Karondo.

Thuita's resignation comes just a day after State House Chief of Staff and Head of the Public Service Felix Koskei directed the water agency to suspend him pending graft investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

In a statement on Friday, Koskei cited irregularities in the awarding of tenders for the construction of Ruiru II, Karimenu and Kitui Matuu water projects as reason for Thuita's suspension.

He said that a delay by the board to take action against the CEO was undermining the government's war against corruption.

Likewise, he has also asked the Central Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency Board to suspend its CEO Samuel Oruma over similar accusations involving the implementation of the Water Supply and Sanitation System for Bomet, Longisa and Mulot towns projects within the jurisdiction of the agency.

Earlier on Friday, EACC officers arrested Thuita and forced him to lead them to two of his homes in Westlands and Rongai and his office, as they searched for documents they believed were crucial in their investigation.