Nairobi News

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Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company board activities under scrutiny


Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) Director General Mohammed Badi has ordered for a scrutiny of Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company Board activities, as he continues to stamp his authority in the capital.

This comes after the Major General directed the firm’s Managing Director Nahashon Muguna to submit a copy of the board’s expenditure and workplan for the financial year 2019/2020.

BOARD ACTIVITIES

The NMS DG also wants Mr Muguna to make available a schedule of the board’s meetings and activities as well as the relevant approvals required for extra meetings and retreats.

“Kindly supply us with a copy of the Board Workplan for financial year 2019/2020, a schedule of all board meetings and activities, full disclosure of board expenditure including local and international trips for the financial year 2019/2020 and the relevant approvals required for extra meetings and retreats pursuant to circular OP/CAB.9/1A dated March 11, 2020 on or before July 24, 2020,” read in part the July 21, 2020 letter by Mr Badi addressed to Eng Muguna.

At the same time, the NMS boss has put the Board on the spot for continuing with meetings, retreats and site visits in total disregard of government circulars on the same.

Mr Badi stated that they are aware that the board has continued to hold meetings, retreats and site visits in complete disregard and contrary to the corporate governance guidelines and government circulars on meetings and conduct of Board business.

“Of great concern is that these activities are conducted in total disregard of the Ministry of Health guidelines on prevention of Covid-19. You are hereby reminded of the obligation to ensure strict compliance with the law and regulations in the conduct of business and activities of the Company,” Badi’s letter reads.

NEW BOARD

The new development comes after Mr Badi suffered a blow in his bid to constitute a new board of directors at the utility firm last month after court temporarily halted the process.

The Employment and Labour Relations Court suspended a gazette notice appointing the new board of directors until a case before it is heard and determined.

This was after activist Okiya Omtatah went to court on June 23, 2020 to contest the decision to disband the water company’s board of directors.

Mr Badi had on June 19, 2020 gazetted the new directors sending packing the previous board of directors.

The new 11-member board of directors was to be headed by retired Major General Andrew Ikenye with others being Water Principal Secretary or a designate, Housing Principal Secretary or a designate, Finance Principal Secretary or a designate, NMS deputy director general Enosh Momanyi or his designate and chief executive officer of Athi Water Works Development Agency.

In addition to Florence Njau, who is the chairperson of Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and caterers, Nairobi branch; chairperson of Kenya Private Sector Alliance Nicholas Nesbitt, independent members Dr Wagakuyu wa Kibiru and Petronilla Asiyo Ogut and Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company CEO serving the board as an ex-officio member.