A scuffle ensued at Central Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency headquarters after police officers arrived to enforce the compulsory leave handed to the embattled CEO, Samuel Oruma.
In a video shared from the scene, tension filled the company’s offices in Nakuru as the officers and journalists stormed his office in what could have been his last day in the premises.
Amid the commotion and the shattering sounds from cameras, the besieged CEO claimed that one of the officers hit him on his palm.
Further, Oruma accused the officers of roughing him up and chasing him away despite his assurance that he was ready to vacate the office.
He was seen engaging police officers in an argument while vowing to record a statement on his alleged harassment by the officers.
“No problem, I will record a statement. I have been kicked,” he stated.
Moments later, the CEO was barred from leaving the company’s premises with security guards declining to open the door for him.
He went on to engage the security officers manning the gate, warning them against defying his command.
CEO defends himself
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“I am the one who signed their contracts,” he said while approaching the officer at the gate.
“Open the gate. If you won’t open, then move, I will open.”
Speaking to journalists, Oruma asserted his innocence and dismissed allegations of a scandal in the operations of the Rift Valley water company.
He went on to explain that the company had registered tremendous performance under his tenure and even emerged as the top performing parastatal.
“You can see in my first year in office we were the best performers in the Ministry against 300 parastatals across the country,” he asserted, pointing to the trophies arranged on a cabinet.
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Oruma’s incident at the company’s headquarters came days after the Head of Public Service Felix Koskei issued directives to two water companies asking them to suspend their CEOs.
However, Michael Thuita of the Athi Water Works Development Agency opted to resign before the suspension was effected.
At the heart of the leadership changes in the two companies are allegations of fraud in issuing tenders affecting water projects.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission had issued an alarm over the alleged fraudulent activities and recommended suspension of the two officers to allow investigations.
According to EACC, Water Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome did not honor their request to suspend Thuita and allow investigations into alleged loss of public funds.
However, in her defense, Wahome denied the claims insisting that she was only following the law.
