Ngilu accused of influencing tender awards

Posted Tuesday, March 1 2011 at 22:17

In Summary

• Water board chair claims minister forced her way into three meetings

A minister is alleged to have stormed a board meeting to influence award of tenders.

Water minister Charity Ngilu had compromised board members, the chairman of the National Water Conservation and Pipeline Corporation, Mr Geoffrey Mang’uriu, told a House Committee.

He said the board was discussing irregularities in payments to contractors and suppliers when the minister forced her way into the meeting in November. He claimed the minister sought to chair the meeting.

“She told me at some point that I should leave the room, but I respectfully declined,” Mr Mang’uriu said.

He said the corporation had lost about Sh10 million through irregular payments signed by the managing director.

“In National Water, there is an intricate and closely knit web of corruption and I would like to state this without any fear whatsoever,” the chairman said during a meeting with the committee on Lands and Natural Resources yesterday.

Differences between the chairman and other board members — including managing director Petronilla Ogut — have been evident during the sittings chaired by Gachoka MP Mutava Musyimi.

Last week, board members disowned a report the chairman had started presenting. They also endorsed the appointment of Ms Ogut as the chief executive against the wishes of the chairman.

Mr Mang’uriu later said he declined to hand Ms Ogut an appointment letter because she had quoted a high salary.

He also told the committee that he had suspended Ms Ogut but the board overturned his decision.

Mr Mang’uriu said the board had decided to hold a bonding retreat.

Reports by Njeri Rugene, Caroline Wafula and Alphonce Shiundu