The government has appointed a new CEO to lead the Tanathi Water Works Development Agency based in Kitui, following the dismissal of former CEO Fredrick Tito Mwamati.
Mwamati was recently arrested by detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and charged in connection with a corruption scandal involving millions of shillings.
Kimanthi Kyengo has taken over as acting CEO of the water agency, assuming the role at a ceremony overseen by Tanathi’s Board of Directors Chairperson, Regina Ndambuki. During the handover, Mwamati, despite facing charges, participated in the transition process.
Prior to his appointment at Tanathi, Kyengo served as the Director of Sanitation in the Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation. Mwamati, on the other hand, has been accused in court of various offenses, including abuse of office, failure to adhere to procurement laws, and fraudulent acquisition of public property, including a conflict of interest related to a Sh292 million tender for the Kinanie Leather Industrial Park water supply project in Athi River, Machakos County.
Mwamati denied all charges and was released on bail pending further legal proceedings.
Others to be charged in the case include Tanathi’s general manager for infrastructure development, Francis Siva, David Otieno Mwango (operations manager), Eric Muendo Ng’alu (senior engineer), and Dickson Mugambi (engineer), according to EACC spokesman Eric Ngumbi.
Additionally, three Tanathi directors involved in winning the lucrative tender will also face charges: Peter Muange Kimuyu, Willy Kimuyu Muange, and Joseph Mutua Muange.
The EACC initiated its investigation in 2022 following a complaint alleging that senior officials at Tanathi had misappropriated public funds amounting to Sh292,770,465 through fraudulent practices in the tendering process, which favored companies connected to them.
