The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has vowed to challenge reinstatement of Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited- KETRACO General Manager Eng. Anthony Wamukota.
In a statement on Wednesday, April 10, EACC expressed dissatisfaction with the courts for reinstating Wamukota, who is a corruption suspect.
Consequently, EACC filed a motion of appeal to challenge the judgement of Justice Byram Ongaya of the Employment and Labour Relations Court in Nairobi.
Eng Wamukota was suspended in November 2023 following a request by EACC to pave way for investigations into the graft allegations against him.
However on Monday, April 8, Justice Ongaya revoked his suspension.
“The declaration that the suspension of the petitioner was irregular, unprocedural, illegal, unconstitutional as found in this judgment hence null and void,” read part of the judgment.
The judge therefore ordered the first respondent, KETRACO, to revoke Wamukota’s suspension and pay him all accrued salaries and benefits for the period in which he was suspended.
KETRACO was also ordered to cover court fees for the petitioner, Eng Wamukota.
Wamukota is reportedly among 74 officials, including 6 Chief Executive Officers, suspended from office in November 2023.
EACC countered the recent ruling, arguing that it was in public interest to appeal the matter so as to keep away graft suspects from the very offices they are accused of conducting the offences.
“Under Section 42(7) of the Leadership and Integrity Act, 2012 as read with Regulation 25 of the Leadership and Integrity Regulations, 2015, a public official may be suspended from office pending the investigation and determination of allegations made against them where such suspension is considered necessary.
“This includes situations where, by virtue of their positions or other considerations, the officer may conceal, alter, destroy, or remove records, documents or evidence; or intimidate, threaten or otherwise interfere with witnesses; or compromise investigations in any other manner,” the anti-graft agency wrote.
Another suspended government official, Bomas CEO Peter Koria, is in court fighting his suspension from office over graft allegations.
