Economy

EACC chief revokes Matemu suspension of the deputy CEO

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) was Tuesday thrown into confusion after its chief executive officer revoked the suspension of his deputy, hours after chairman Mumo Matemu had sent the second-in-command on forced leave.

EACC chief executive Halakhe Waqo said the 30-day suspension of his deputy, Michael Mubea, on allegations of “integrity issues was adverse and damaging to his reputation”.

He said that Mr Matemu did not consult him or the human resource office before taking action against Mr Mubea. Mr Matemu had on Monday suspended Mr Mubea, pending investigations into allegations of office malpractice.

“By a copy of this letter, I am directing the officer to report on duty and continue with his work,” stated Mr Waqo. Mr Mubea is in charge of the entire EACC operations, including directorates of investigations, prevention and legal services.

A source at the EACC who declined to be named, however, said that the decision to suspend Mr Mubea was reached at a meeting held on Monday which Mr Waqo attended.

Others at the meeting were Mr Matemu, vice-chairperson Irene Keino and commissioner Jane Onsongo.

The suspension was linked to alleged delay in investigations into multiple corruption cases.

These include investigations into the National Social Security Fund’s (NSSF) Tassia project where EACC was supposed to probe the board for irregularly approving a Sh5.1bn tender for infrastructure upgrade, which was given to Chinese firm China Jiangxi.

READ: Ombudsman says EACC blocking probe into impropriety

In December 2014, the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) accused EACC of failing to produce a report into the case almost a year after the probe was launched.

On February 18, the Ombudsman’s office said that senior EACC officials had blocked it from interrogating the agency’s officials over claims that they were allocated houses to drop investigations into impropriety at the NSSF.

Another case highlighted is the investigation into claims of corruption in awarding tenders worth more than Sh10 billion by the Geothermal Development Company (GDC).

Investigations into the ownership of Integrity Centre, where EACC is based, and allegations that there was a scheme to grab it were also said to be moving too slowly.

The landlord has sent a notice to Mr Matemu asking that EACC vacates the premises by June. The commission’s chairman linked the eviction notice to a scheme meant to disrupt various high-profile investigations.

The EACC is currently looking at a number of high-profile cases including the ‘‘Chicken’’ scandal, Anglo-Leasing and multiple land grab cases.

Top former government officials were last week charged in connection with the multi-billion shilling Anglo-Leasing scandal.