This archive report was first published on 27 September 2019.
Water Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui has refuted claims of irregularity in the appointment of the acting chief executive of Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency.
According to a petition by Michael Oyiembe, Chelugui picked George Odedeh from a sister organisation, which Oyiembe argued was against the law as it required the CEO to be an employee of the specific State body.
However, Chelugui visited the agency's headquarters on Wednesday and said he acted within the law when he picked Odedeh, who was the technical manager of Lake Victoria North Water Works Development Agency.
Chelugui cited Section 152 (3) of the Water Act, which states: “A person who is an employee of a water services board established under the Water Act, 2002, during the commencement of this Act, shall be deployed as may be determined by the Cabinet secretary to public sector institutions or to the county governments.”
Before Odedeh's appointment, Daniel Oronje was the acting CEO after Petronilla Ogut's term expired. Oronje was appointed to the position months after being made acting technical manager.
Chelugui stated that Oronje had not finished a year in his previous acting position, and therefore lacked adequate experience to handle the CEO's position.
He emphasized that experience was not just about paper qualifications, but also about relationships with the board, donors, the ministry, and all leadership levels.
