Nairobi Water’s CEO Eng.Philip Gichuki Sent on Terminal Leave

The Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company on Thursday sent Eng.Philip Gichuki on terminal leave after his contract with the Company ended.

Eng. Gichuki had written to the Company’s board requesting for an extension of his contract of employment.

As a response to the letter, the Board Chairman Raphael Nzomo noted that the extension request had been declined by the board after carrying out deliberations.

“I wish to inform you that the Board, after deliberation, declined to grant your request as you have already served the full tenure permitted in law. You are, therefore, to formally separate with the company upon expiry of your contract on 18.01.2018” read the letter signed by Nzomo.

“In the meantime, and to facilitate smooth transition, you are asked to proceed on terminal leave today, August 17 2017,” read the letter.

Eng. Philip Gichuki was further directed to hand over to Eng. Nahashon Muguna, who according to the letter, has been appointed by the Board of Directors to serve in the acting capacity pending further action.

As a reaction to the act of sending Eng. Gichuki on terminal leave, the company’s workers have gone on strike demanding the renewal of his contract.

They vowed to boycott work until the directors’ contracts are renewed.

“This same board which was planning to sell this company has now terminated contracts of four performing directors. They (board members) came here under very tight security, went to the board room and announced the decision,” branch Secretary Jebet Matilda said.

“But we are saying we will not work, we will picket until these directors are brought back,” she said.

Gichuki faulted the board’s decision saying he should have served for five years until 2019. 

“The board did not follow Human Resource Manual which states that I should serve for five years. I joined the company in 2014 and therefore my term was supposed to expire in 2019. So they have shortened my term by two years,” he said.

The workers asked the new county leadership under Governor Mike Sonko to intervene.