Power Struggle, Corruption Rocks Coast Water Agency Amidst Payment Dispute

By Nzau Muysoki

A power struggle has erupted at the Coast Water Works Development Agency (CWWDA), pitting Stephen KivuvaMasai, the current Head of Finance, against former Chief Executive Officer Martin
Tsuma.

This internal conflict has led to dramatic accusations, including alleged financial impropriety and obstruction of payment for a vital security firm.

At the heart of the dispute is the non-payment of Canon Security Firm, which has provided security services to CWWDA for months.

Stephen Kivuva Masai is accused of deliberately withholding payments to Canon for the past two months, only because the contract was awarded against his wishes.

Canon Security provides services across Water Works Development Agency installations, including Baricho, Tiwi, Mzima, and Mazeras summing up the total number of employees to 95.

This has caused frustration to the security firm and its employees who solely depend on the job to fend for their families and personal needs.

Sources within the agency, who requested anonymity, allege that Masai’s refusal to pay stems from a deeper issue.

It is claimed that Masai received a Ksh. 1.5 million bribe from Northwood Security, a company that was initially awarded the tender.

However, Canon Security successfully appealed the decision through the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) after it was discovered that their rival, Northwood Securitylacked a National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) certificate.

The situation escalated dramatically on June 17th when, according to an anonymous source, a voucher for Canon Security’s two-month arrears was prepared.

Masai allegedly shredded the document, vowing never to pay the firm due to the contract being signed by former acting CEO Martin Tsuma.

The anonymous source further claimed that Masai “boasts to be knowing the system and he will never sign any voucher of the contract signed by former acting CEO Martin Tsuma.”

“The guy is superior; he seems to be knowing everyone in the system. He treats fellow workers like beggars,” stated a source, identified only as “Riziki ” to protect their identity. “He has vowed not to pay any contractor any amount of money for the tender that was signed by former acting CEO Martin
Tsuma.”

Adding to the intrigue, the source also alleged that Masai has expressed an ambition to take over as CEO, supposedly vowing to ensure Hamoud Mwinyi Mguza (the current CEO) does not complete a “six-term” tenure before he assumes the top position.

When our reporter sought comments from Mr. Mwinyi, the CEO responded with fury, hurling insults and stating, “We cannot disclose information to every Tom, Dick, and Harry about the company. If the firm has any complaint it should come to my office and I don’t have any letter claiming non- payment. If that is the case I don’t think the security firm has a chance to be at the parastatal in
future.”

Mr. Masai was equally elusive when contacted for comment, dismissing our reporter and promising to call back – a promise he did not keep before this article went to print.

It is also alleged that besieged Masai has been sent on compulsory leave amidst investigations and his position as Head of Finance has been handed over to Kibibi Mohamed, who is in charge of project
accounts.

Ms Kibibi oversees donor-funded projects from institutions like the World Bank, African Development Bank, and Exim Bank.

Masai’s compulsory leave comes few Weeks before the awarding of the Ksh. 11 billion Mwache project Dam.

More alarmingly, it is also alleged that detectives are investigating Masai for a potential case of double payment for a certain project, which is believed to have prompted his immediate suspension.

More details to follow as they develop…