Fresh Boardroom Coup escalates at Nairobi Water Company

By Steve UMIDHA

Nairobi’s water distribution firm, the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company Ltd (NCWSC), was thrown into confusion and chaos on Friday morning after Managing Director Eng. Nahashon Muguna mysteriously reigned.

“This decision has been reached after careful consideration, and I believe it is in the best interest of both myself and the organization at this time. I have resigned to pursue other endeavors,” reads a letter by Eng Muguna dated September 26, addressed to the firm’s board chairman, Arnold Karanja.

His surprise decision has, however, triggered confusion and chaos at the water company, with two conflicting workers’ unions affiliated to the firm taking to the streets – one objecting to the decision while the other approving Muguna’s premature departure, who was substantively appointed as the Managing Director of the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company on May 27, 2020, after serving in an acting capacity since August 2017.

Speaking while addressing journalists at the firm’s Nairobi headquarters office, the Water Services Workers Union (WASWU) Secretary General (SG) – a workers union affiliated to the company, Matilda Jebet Kimetto, pointed an accusing finger at the firm’s Board of Directors for “pushing Muguna out of the office”, three months to the expiry of its contract.

Eng Muguna’s employment indenture ends on December 4, 2025, when he will be 60 years old – the mandatory age limit for public servants in Kenya.

Martin Nangole, an IT expert has been appointed acting managing director of Nairobi City Water company.

“This situation is purely political. We are aware of his resignation, which we believe was occasioned by some individuals of the Nairobi Water Board, who we understand have pressured Eng Muguna to leave the company, puzzlingly.

And so, as the legitimate workers’ union for the water company, we want the entire board to go home for mishandling the situation and mishandling water affairs for the Nairobians,” said Ms Jebet.

Adding that, the union workers will, from Monday, take to the streets to demand the board’s resignation, among other grievances, having made clear their intentions to have a new managing director with the knowledge of water issues.

This comes even after an opposing faction, the Kenya Union of Water and Sewerage Employees (Kuwase), Nairobi branch, approved the decision, saying the board’s move was the right one.

The union led by Ms. Chebet further criticized the opposing union for a conspiracy with unspecified members of the Nairobi County Assembly for their inability to sanction critical water issues affecting Nairobi residents.

“The Board of NCWSC must act in the best interest of the Public by ensuring a smooth transition void of politics, and that ensures the continued business of the Company in serving mwananchi,” said the Union’s National Treasurer, Patrick Kasimu, who together with the wwater workers union has urged the Nairobi City County Governor Johnson Sakaja to rein in on the issue.

The workers’ union, which recently secured a formal recognition agreement with NCWSC, accused the board of attempting to sabotage the deal by backing a rival deregistered union, Kenya Union of Water and Sewerage Employees (KUWASE).

“It is illegal and contemptuous for the board to front a deregistered outfit to represent workers. The board has lost legitimacy and must go,” Chebet charged.

The union further alleged widespread corruption, including fraudulent foreign travel claims, misuse of company vehicles and fuel, and political meddling in management appointments.

“This board is a disgrace. They are pushing for an IT specialist to act as MD against the articles of association, which stipulate the role must be held by an engineer or an accountant,” Chebet added.

Union officials who threatened to hit the streets beginning Monday 29, warned that the leadership vacuum and governance crisis threaten service delivery in the capital.

“Without a professional MD and functional directors, this organisation is in crisis. If the current trajectory continues, Nairobi residents risk water shortages,” said National treasurer Patrick Kasim.

The workers have petitioned Governor Johnson Sakaja to dissolve the current board and initiate a transparent recruitment process for Muguna’s successor.

Last week the Water Services Workers Union (WASWU) signed its first recognition agreement with Nakuru Water and Sanitation Services Company. WASWU Secretary General Matilda Kimetto said that the union was registered in April after establishing a gap when handling issues related to workers in the sector.

“This is a historical step in strengthening social dialogue within the water sector. With the agreement, we will commence negotiations for a collective bargaining agreement,” she said last week.