Court stops suspension of Bomas of Kenya CEO

By Peter Ochieng

Bomas of Kenya Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and General Manager Peter Gitaa Koria can rest easy, at least for now.

This is after a Nairobi Court on Thursday issued orders stopping his suspension, albeit temporarily.

He was among CEOs of State agencies and over 60 police officers who were on November 16, 2023 suspended for 12 months, following recommendations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), over ongoing graft related investigations.

Other executives suspended following an order by Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei include Fredrick Mwamati (CEO, Tanathi Water Works Development Agency), Stephen Ogenga (Director General, National Industrial Training Authority), Stanvas Ong’alo (Acting DG, National Museums of Kenya), Benjamin Kai Chilumo (CEO, Huduma Centre Secretariat) and Anthony Wamukota (General Manager Design & Construction, KETRACO).

KETRACO stands for Kenya Electricity Transmission Company.

Koria moved to court, arguing that even before the hearing of his application challenging his suspension, the Bomas of Kenya Board of Directors Chairperson had called for a special meeting slated for Thursday, November 23, 2023, with appointing a new CEO being top on the agenda.

Through his lawyer Stephen Mogaka, the besieged CEO said his suspension was marred with illegalities and procedural irregularities.

“Unless this Honorable Court moves with celerity and arrest 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,” stated the advocate.

EACC recommended the suspension of six CEOs, 67 police officers and an accountant at the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA).

The recommendations came on the backdrop of alleged corruption and procurement irregularities.