The Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei has directed the suspension of six Chief Executive Officers and 67 police officers amid corruption allegations, according to a press release from State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed.
The suspensions follow recommendations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) during ongoing investigations into procurement irregularities and embezzlement within several government institutions.
“The EACC has written to the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation, Hon. Zachariah Njeru, recommending the suspension of Eng. Fredrick Mwamati, the Chief Executive Officer of the Tanathi Water Works Development Agency,” the release states. Mwamati is under investigation for alleged irregularities in awarding a construction tender.
The commission has also called for the suspension of Stephen Ogenga, Director-General of the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), over a questionable tender at that agency.
Additionally, the EACC advised the board of the National Museums of Kenya to suspend Acting Director-General Stanvas Ong’alo pending an investigation into the alleged embezzlement of KES 490 million.
The release says the anti-graft agency recommended Benjamin Kai Chilumo, CEO of Huduma Centre Secretariat, be suspended over past corruption allegations from his time as a county official.
Peter Gitaa Koria, CEO of Bomas of Kenya, faces suspension for alleged procurement irregularities involving supplies at that institution, the statement says.
At the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company, the EACC called for the suspension of Engineer Anthony Wamukota over alleged irregularities in a construction contract.
The commission also advised suspending KeRRA accountant Esther Wanjiru Chege for “alleged conflict of interest and possession of unexplained wealth,” according to the release.
Additionally, the EACC asked Inspector-General of Police Japhet Koome to suspend 67 officers for unspecified “corruption-related malpractices.”
“In issuing the directives, the Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service emphasises that the Government remains firm in its commitment to eradicating corruption which, he maintains, undermines its development agenda,” the statement concludes.
The suspensions come as part of a declared “war on corruption” by the administration of President Willliam Ruto.
