Intense infighting has rocked the Geothermal Development Company (GDC) after the board chaired by Walter Osebe Nyambati resolved to force out its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jared Othieno on a terminal leave.
Othieno has been replaced by Paul Ngugi, who is currently serving as Drilling and Infrastructure General Manager on an interim basis.
Othieno was forced out before his three-year term lapses next month.
“The MD has proceeded on a terminal leave.” Our source intimated.
Othieno was appointed as GDC boss on April 19 2020. replacing then outgoing CEO Johnson Ole Nchoe.
Before his appointment, Othieno served as Kenya Power acting managing director Jared.
The president William Ruto’s led Kenya Kwanza administration has made an overhaul of almost all board membership ejecting his predecessor retired president Uhuru Kenyatta’s appointees.
Last month, the Supreme Court has ordered the Sh1.7billion graft case facing former GDC managers to proceed and be heard on a priority basis after dismisssing an appeal filed by the former managers.
A bench of five judges of the top court ruled that the former officials failed to show how the Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji and Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), were malicious in bringing the charges against them.
The officials who were charged in 2015 include former managing director Silas Masinde Simiyu, GDC company secretary Praxidis Namoni Saisi and seven members of the company’s tender committee.
The nine were accused of illegally awarding a Sh42.7million rig move services tender to Bonfide Clearing and Forwarding Ltd.
They challenged their prosecution, arguing that the charges were based on a non-existent provision. The trial had been put on hold to await the outcome of the appeal at the Supreme Court.
“It is our considered opinion that it would be pragmatic that the Appellants let the trial commence and conclude, during which trial they may raise all the issues they have as against the law under which they are charged. If successful, it is only then that they will pursue their rights on appeal,” Justices Mohammed Ibrahim, Smokin Wanjala, Njoki Ndung’u, Isaac Lenaola and William Ouko said.