Intrigues behind Rift Valley Water Board CEO Samuel Oruma’s suspension

Moments after the resignation of Athi Water Works Development Agency CEO Michael Thuita, his Central Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency counterpart Samuel Oruma is now a man under watch as investigations into the multi-billion shillings water projects scam continue.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is investigating Eng. Oruma over allegations of irregular award of tender for the construction of a water and sanitation system for Bomet - Longisa - Mulot Towns to China Railways No. 10 Engineering Group Ltd at a cost of Ksh.1.7 billion.

What may perhaps fuel Oruma’s woes are allegations that he irregularly and fraudulently approved the change of Specifications from the use of Steel Pipes to the use of Glass Reinforced Pipes (GRP) for the project.

This is in spite of the concerns that were raised over the GRP pipes which are said to be inferior in terms of quality and much cheaper compared to steel pipes.

It is said that as part of the justification by Eng. Oruma for issuing a green light for the proposal for change of pipe material, was that GRP pipes would save up to 2.5 per cent of the project cost with a reduced construction period of nine months.

EACC is seeking to unravel the depth of the multi-billion shillings scam in a project that was launched in April 2022 and was set to benefit over 200,000 residents in Bomet Central and Chepalungu constituencies in Bomet County.

In a letter dated May 23 2023, EACC instructed the CEO to furnish the commission with 28 crucial documents to assist in investigations key among them: Budget estimates, procurement plans, tender documents including the advertisements, bid documents, documents detailing the tender evaluation committee and minutes of their meetings, signed contracts reports, payment vouchers and receipts among others.

The gravity of the allegations coupled with the amount under question, prompted the Head of Public Service Felix Koskei to call for the suspension of Eng. Oruma pending investigations into alleged procurement irregularities.