Water CS dissolves irrigation board
Water and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, whose decision to dissolve the National Irrigation Board has been suspended. PHOTO | SALATON NJAU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Relations then went on a downward spiral, and had culminated in the board's ouster of Mr Barasa together with two other top officials.
- The other two suspended in the April board action were his deputy general manager Mary Chomba and procurement and supplies manager Boaz Akello.
Water Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa has dissolved the beleaguered National Irrigation Board (NIB).
At the same time, the board’s CEO, Daniel Barasa, who was in the eye of the storm — the lingering clash between NIB management and board directors — has resigned.
In his place Mr Wamalwa has appointed Gitonga Mugambi in an acting capacity. This effectively ejects Raphael Ogendo, who had been appointed by the board.
Tension at the institution started when the Barasa-led management was accused of misconduct and financial misappropriation in procurement.
Relations then went on a downward spiral, and had culminated in the board's ouster of Mr Barasa together with two other top officials.
The other two suspended in the April board action were his deputy general manager Mary Chomba and procurement and supplies manager Boaz Akello.
The board had put in their place Kisaka Sakari (acting deputy general manager) and Michael Obimbo (acting procurement manager).
In the standoff that has lasted over a month, Mr Wamalwa said he had issued a directive to the chairman of the board to reinstate Mr Barasa, saying he was not consulted and that the process used in suspending the executives was flawed.
The board had, however, failed to carry out the directive. It said the officials’ suspension was in order. According to the State Corporations Act, the board supervises the executive.
“In view of the said failure to comply and in open defiance of the said directive and resultant state of paralysis which has affected operations, I dissolve the NIB board in its entirety,” he said.
While dismissing them, the CS said on Friday that some board members, including the chairman, were simultaneously serving as public officers at various public universities, which is contrary to a public officer’s directive (Ref.No. OP/CAB.9/1A) released in February this year.
“This is in line with a Chief of Staff, Head of Public Service’s directive to all ministries to replace Board Members who are public officers,” he said.
