EACC alarmed by Water CS Wahome’s refusal to suspend Athi Water CEO

EACC has raised concerns that despite continuously imploring the CS and showcasing their grievances against the CEO, he is still in office, adding that failure to suspend him might interfere with investigations. 

The CEO is under probe for alleged procurement fraud involving billions of public funds, and EACC routinely requires the suspension of such officers.

“EACC is concerned that the continued stay in office by the CEO continues to affect the ongoing investigation since the suspect is the custodian of the required documents and there is a risk of compromising the many potential witnesses working under him,” a source from the commission who sought anonymity told Citizen Digital. 

The commission is now probing the CS over her hesitance to suspend the CEO despite a recommendation from the anti-graft body.

“The agency is involved in massive corruption that EACC is investigating and the action of the CS in declining to suspend the officer is an affront to the ongoing efforts to tame graft in the public service, which sets a very dangerous precedent that may be taken up by other heads of public institutions that EACC routinely requires to suspend officers under probe,” the source said. 

Thuita is accused of irregularly awarding three tenders between 2012 and 2018 amounting to billions of shillings.

The first tender awarded for the design and building of the Karimenu II dam cost Ksh.24 billion, the second one last mile water connectivity and Sanitation in Tanathi area was awarded Ksh.720 Million while the design and building of the proposed Ruiru II Dam was awarded Ksh.26 billion.

The commission wrote to Wahome on May 31, 2023, recommending the suspension of Thuita to pave way for investigation, and to allow a smooth flow of documents and also to ensure that the CEO does not interfere with witnesses who are employees working under him

"On May 31, Wahome wrote back to the Commission demanding to be provided with confidential information against the CEO before any action could be taken."