Reprieve for Bomas of Kenya CEO Peter Gitaa as court stops his suspension

Bomas of Kenya General Manager and CEO Peter Gitaa Koria can breathe a sigh of relief after a Nairobi court on Thursday issued orders temporarily stopping his suspension.

Mr. Koria was among CEOs of State agencies who were suspended for 12 months following recommendations of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) due to ongoing investigations.

He argued that, even before the hearing of his application challenging the suspension, the Bomas of Kenya Board of Directors Chairperson had called for a special meeting slated for Thursday, November 23, 2023.

According to Mr. Koria, in court papers seen by Citizen Digital, the agenda for the meeting entailed appointing an Acting CEO and implementing directives from the Gender, Culture, Arts and Heritage who had ordered for his suspension.

Through lawyer Stephen Mogaka, the embattled CEO said his suspension was “marred with illegalities and procedural irregularities,” further calling for the stopping of the said special board meeting.

“...unless this Honorable Court moves with celerity and arrests the illegalities and injustices occasioned by the Respondents, the Applicant (Mr. Koria) shall suffer irreparable harm as their right to equality before the law, fair administrative action and labor rights will be curtailed,” lawyer Mogaka submitted.

EACC had recommended the suspension of six CEOs, 67 police officers and an accountant at the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) over alleged corruption and procurement irregularities

Besides the Bomas of Kenya boss, the other Executives included; Eng. Fredrick Mwamati (CEO, Tanathi Water Works Development Agency), Stephen Ogenga (DG, National Industrial Training Authority), Stanvas Ong’alo (Acting DG, National Museums of Kenya), Benjamin Kai Chilumo (CEO, Huduma Centre Secretariat), and Eng. Anthony Wamukota (GM, Design & Construction, KETRACO).