Things are never easy for the embattled Coast Water Services Board CEO Jacob Torrut. The man has been accused of crippling the agency. The agency is a den of graft and all this happens while grilling agency chases wrong targets.
On 21st Feb 2018, CEO Torrut did an overdraft of Ksh.11,276,411.20 from water service account number 1107641179 at KCB Treasury Square Mombasa branch to sourcing and construction company so that he can get a good kickback.
The reality is, there is a big problem brewing up there, just wait and another Mega scandal will erupt. President’s fight against corruption will never get anywhere if the high and mighty in society think and just like many boasts of being under the blanket of people that can get away with any and all forms of malfeasance.
The Senate committee on water and natural resources should come in at the Coast and unearth how money has been siphoned by one Jacob Torrut.
Ksh30 million pipes scandal.
Last year, just a month after being reappointed to the corporation by President Uhuru Kenyatta, then Accounting Officer of the Coast Water Development Agency Jacob Torrut was accused of masterminding and executing a Ksh30 million pipes scandal.
According to sources privy to the case, the detectives are having a hard time trying to put together a case as the incident was well executed leaving no traces. Martin Kazungu was the only one who was put behind bars at Bamba Police Station in relation to the scandal.
In a letter which he wrote addressing the embattled CEO, Kazungu said that on June 19, 2019, the corporation’s self-styled security officer identified as only Ali stormed Jaribuni Water Station in Kilifi county.
He, Ali, then ordered Kazungu to introduce him to the county commissioner and the police at the station. Kazungu further noted that on June 21, 2019, Ali came in lorry registration KAA 625Y and a letter by Torrut copied to Baricho and Mazeras.
Graft Cover-up
Following the revelation of the scandal, the embattled CEO is alleged to have corrupted a senior Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officer in Kilifi county with a fat envelope off his loot. The instructions were that the DCI facilitate the arrest of the ‘little’ Kazungu to cover up his dark dealings
Before being reinstated by the PS on orders from the President, the Coast Water Services Board had sent him packing following gross misconduct and abuse of office before the corporation was disbanded.
“The board has decided that you hand over to Martin Tsuma on November 13, 2018, and proceed on annual leave until further notice. The board will meet to discuss your conduct and the outcome will be communicated to you,” Sureya Hersi also cited absenteeism, neglect of duty, and use of abusive language in a November 9 letter.
Corruption Blanket
Torrut defied the directive and went about his duties. He even traveled to Kwale to meet with World Bank officials where he denied knowledge of the disciplinary action against him.
“I cannot comment because I have not seen the letter. I’m in my office,” he told the Star on the phone on.
Instead of handing over to Tsuma, Torrut appointed procurement officer Stanslus Jira to take charge while he is away.
“This is to inform you that I will be away on official duty in Nairobi. Jira will be in charge of the office. Please accord him all the necessary support,” Torrut said in a November 9 memo which was copied to Hersi.
Water and Sanitation Principal Secretary Joseph Irungu has rescinded Coast Water Service Board (CWSB) decision to suspend Chief Executive Officer Jacob Torutt.
The acting Board Chair Sureya Roble Hersi had asked Torutt to step aside accusing him of snubbing members of the Parliamentary Committee on Water and Environment on November 9.
The PS suspended all the board’s settings until a new one is composed accusing it of usurping the Cabinet Secretary’s powers to illegally suspend the CEO.
In a letter on his behalf by the Ministry’s Secretary Administration Joseph Keter, the PS said the board was usurping the Cabinet Secretary’s powers to dismiss the CEO on what was termed as flimsy excuses.
“There are no weighty matters to warrant the convening of the Board meeting as allegations leveled against the Chief Executive Officer have not been properly adjudicated. The chief executive officer Coast Water Services Board will continue performing his duties as stipulated by the appointing authority,” Joseph said.
According to the ministry, the Board was not properly constituted and that Sureya Roble Hersi who acts as the board session chair had no powers to perform the functions of a substantive chair of the board.
The entire state machinery at Coast water board is deliberately populated to support theft. The appointing authorities create stealing opportunities in every State office. The President should direct the relevant institutions mandated with investigating and prosecuting economic crimes to do a thorough job and ensure those found culpable are held accountable.
