President William Ruto’s chief of staff and Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei, has today suspended six Chief Executive Officers and police officers in Kenya’s fight against corruption
Statehouse spokesperson Hussein Mohammed released a statement accusing the six CEOs of procurement irregularities. This means that their various institutions were caught up in the issues of corruption.
Among the suspended is the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KERRA) accountant on similar grounds.
In addition, a directive was also issued to the Inspector General of Police, Japheth Koome to take actions against 67 Police officers caught in the mix up.
Although, according to reports, the suspensions have been made due to recommendations by the Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission. Felix Koskei confirmed these reports.
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“The directives follow recommendations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) for the suspension of the officers, who are currently under investigation.”
EACC wrote to different Cabinet Secretaries who host the 6 CEOs to suspend them with immediate effect. Extending the letters was to the Inspector General of police to act on the 67 Police officers. This is to show the government commitment in Kenya’s Fight Against Corruption
The commission wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation, Zachariah Njeru. Ghe letter recommended the suspension of the Chief Executive Officer of the Tanathi Water Works Development for procurement irregularities. This was in the award of a tender for the construction of a Leather Industrial Park Water Supply Project.
In addition to that, the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, Florence Bore received hers too. This is to suspend Stephen Ogenga, the Director-General of the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA). He is alleged to have procured irregularities in the award of a tender for supplies at NITA.
The Board of the National Museums of Kenya was also not spared. A letter to suspend Stanvas Ong’alo, the Acting Director-General, for alleged embezzlement of Ksh490 million through irregular payments.
Another letter was sent to Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Performance and Delivery Management, Moses Kuria. This was to recommend the suspension of Benjamin Kai Chilumo, the CEO of Huduma Centre Secretariat.
Chilumo is under investigation for corruption allegations when he served in the County Government of Kilifi as the Chief Finance Officer.
Another letter was sent to the office of the office of the Inspector General of Police recommending the suspension of the 67 rogue officers in the force.
