Benedict Kiema Kavua, the Procurement Manager at Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company, is at the center of a controversy following his legal challenge against a departmental transfer. The move has sparked speculation about his motives, especially given the proximity of his new assignment.
Allegations have surfaced suggesting that Kavua is stalling for time to conceal purported corrupt activities he engaged in during his tenure. Sources from City Hall indicate that Kavua has been under scrutiny by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
In response, Nahashon Muguna, the company’s Managing Director, has taken legal action to invalidate Kavua’s court order, which was allegedly obtained by withholding crucial information.
Benedict Kiema Kavua the Procurement Manager of Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company
Muguna emphasizes that the company’s policy allows for the reassignment of roles to enhance efficiency and performance. He accuses Kavua of acting in bad faith by not disclosing important details relevant to the case. “The lack of transparency in his court dealings suggests a deliberate attempt to mislead,” Muguna stated in court documents.
An insider confided that Kavua’s apprehension stems from past dubious transactions that could be revealed by an audit of the company’s financial records. The source detailed that the audit would scrutinize the procurement processes Kavua managed, including the documentation of quotations, committee appointments, and meeting minutes, which could potentially incriminate him.
The gravity of the situation is underscored by last year’s auditor general’s report, which found that Nairobi Water suffered losses exceeding Sh10 billion in the fiscal year ending June 2022. The losses were attributed to malfunctioning water meters, unbalanced financial statements, and unjustified staff allowances. This financial mismanagement has cast a shadow over the company and intensified calls for a comprehensive investigation into its operations.
