MPs threaten to kick out Water CS Eugene Wamalwa for reinstating Irrigation managers

Water Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa. MPs have threatened to impeach him over claims of abuse of office in a row with a State agency. (PHOTO: COURTESY)

MPs have threatened to impeach Water Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa over claims of abusing office in a row with a State agency.

This comes after Wamalwa reinstated National Irrigation Board’s (NIB) suspended General Manager Daniel Barasa and two other senior officials, saying the suspension did not follow due process. However, the board is adamant that the officials are on suspension.

In a letter to NIB chairman, Wamalwa has warned the board of dissolution if it defies his directive.

Last Thursday, NIB suspended the manager, his deputy Mary Chomber and Procurement and Supplies Manager Boaz Akello for six months to pave way for investigations over financial impropriety.

Led by Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter, the legislators said Wamalwa did not follow the legal process in reinstating the officials. They added the CS was compromised to do so.

Keter said Wamalwa was covering up for corruption by reinstating the officials. “Unless the CS has been compromised, there is no way he can purport to reinstate the officials when the board had done its work and suspended them. If he has issues, then let him sack the board instead,” said Keter.

 Stalled projects

Nandi Hills MP said action taken by Wamalwa was against the State corporation’s laws, thus an abuse of office.

“The CS should allow the three officials to go home. If he continues to interfere, then we will move to impeach him,” said Keter.

Turkana North MP Christopher Nakuleu said there were many irrigation projects in Turkana that had stalled when the papers at NIB were indicating the money had been disbursed and utilised in the projects.

“Our people are languishing in hunger caused by projects that had stalled and the CS is here protecting those who could have looted. He seems to be going against President Kenyatta’s efforts to fight graft,” he said.