Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei

Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei on Thursday directed the suspension of a total of 76 public officers including six Chief Executive Officers for alleged involvement in corruption and procurement irregularities within their respective institutions.

The directives followed recommendations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), who are currently under investigation.

The EACC had written to the Cabinet Secretaries in the Ministry of Water, Labour and Social Protection and the Board of the National Museums of Kenya among other government agencies asking for the suspension of officials to pave way for investigations.

Koskei, in a statement, said that the Government remains firm in its commitment to eradicating corruption which, he maintained, undermines its development agenda.

The EACC recommended the suspension of Benjamin Kai Chilumo, the CEO of Huduma Centre Secretariat. Chilumo is under investigation for corruption allegations when he served in the County Government of Kilifi as the Chief Finance Officer.

The Anti-Corruption Commission also wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage, Aisha Jumwa, recommending the suspension of Peter Gitaa Koria, the CEO/GM of Bomas of Kenya, for allegations of procurement irregularities in supplies for the institution.

The EACC has further asked the Inspector-General of Police, Japhet Koome, to suspend 67 police officers implicated in corruption-related malpractices.