Cyprian Is Nyakundi has simplified the issue on X, bringing attention to the shocking state of affairs at the Coast Water Works Development Agency (CWWDA). A witness, Oucho John Abura, has sworn an affidavit in the Environment and Labour Relations Court in Mombasa, exposing massive irregularities in employment at the agency.
He has sued CWWDA, the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation, Acting CEO Martin Tsuma, Board Chairman Katana Daniel Mwaringa, Director Hamid Mbarak, and other officials over illegal appointments and promotions.
The affidavit highlights how top officers at CWWDA have taken over positions unlawfully, bypassing the standard procedures. The issue dates back to the transition from the Coast Water Service Board to the Coast Water Works Development Agency. At that time, all heads of departments were on three-year renewable contracts.
However, despite these contracts having clear expiry timelines, the agency quietly converted them into permanent and pensionable terms without proper justification.
One of the biggest beneficiaries of this irregularity was the current Acting CEO, who had only 18 months left on his contract.
A letter from the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) to Acting CEO Martin Tsuma revealed troubling findings. The letter, dated 9th November 2023, from KNQA Director General James Onyango, detailed the verification status of employee certificates at CWWDA.
Out of 61 staff members checked, 14 had questionable credentials. Around 20% of applicants could not be verified as their alleged awarding institutions failed to confirm their qualifications.
About 75% were cleared as authentic, while 5% had outright fake certificates. In some cases, the institutions required the holders themselves to initiate the verification process.
Following these revelations, the water agency has interdicted its Human Resource Head, Simon Charo. However, this move has not stopped the growing accusations of corruption and abuse of office within the agency.
The board and CEO Martin Tsuma are now under increased scrutiny for their role in these irregularities.It remains unclear whether employees with fake papers are still holding key positions within the agency.
The situation raises serious concerns about the integrity of CWWDA and its leadership. With corruption allegations piling up, the agency faces mounting pressure to clean up its workforce and restore public trust.
