Michael Thuita resigns from Athi Water Works agency

By Peter Ochieng

Michael Thuita is no longer the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Athi Water Works Development Agency.

Thuita resigned from the agency, according to an announcement made by Charles Kamau, the agency’s board chairman.

Kamau said Thuita will be succeeded by engineer Joseph Mungai, albeit 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 Kamau in a statement.

His resignation came hours after Chief of Staff and Head of the Public Service Felix Koskei, directed the agency to suspend him over graft allegations.

He is being investigated by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), over irregularities in the awarding of tenders for the construction of Ruiru II, Karimenu and Kitui Matuu water projects.

Under the same breadth, he directed the Central Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency Board to suspend CEO Samuel Oruma over similar accusations, this time involving the implementation of the Water Supply and Sanitation System for Bomet, Longisa and Mulot towns projects within the jurisdiction of the agency.

"The Head of Public Service in letters to the chairmen of the two boards says the two CEOs are in office, notwithstanding the gravity of allegations and the quantum of resources under inquiry. Mr Koskei says the inordinate delay in taking action on the part of the board of directors and the ministry is undermining the government's war against corruption," Koskei said in a statement signed by Hussein Mohamed, State House Spokesman.

Thuita allegedly declined to submit documents relating to a multi-billion tender scam, prompting EACC to invoke its enforcement powers to compel compliance.

Koskei said the two had to be suspended, since their continued stay in office was hampering the government’s efforts in fighting against graft.