Treasury CS Rotich at DCI over dams scandal

Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich is currently appearing at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters over the Arror and Kimwarer dams scandal in Elgeyo Marakwet County.

Rotich who has been there since 5 am is expected to shed more light on the Ksh.21 billion payment for the dam projects.

The construction of the mega project that is yet to start was meant to commence in December 2017 with the dams expected to produce hydro-electricity as well as be used for irrigation in the region to mitigate drought and boost food production.

The Directorate of Criminal investigations has invited directors of over 30 limited companies for questioning over the fraudulent construction of two dams in Elgeyo Marakwet County.

Rotich has come out to defend the advance payment made to the contractor of the Arror and Kimwarer dams saying it was done within the law.

In a statement last week, Rotich said media reports over the alleged misappropriation of Sh28 billion is misleading and damaging to government’s image.

“We would like to stress that all projects whether domestic or externally funded are implemented in strict adherence to the law and in accordance with the commercial and financing agreements,” he said.

The CS said Kimwarer dam would cost Sh23.1 billion and that Sh3.5 billion was paid as advance payment.

He said the advance payment will be recovered from the contractor once work commences through an insurance or bank guarantee.

Water Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui who has been also been drawn into the saga has distanced himself and his ministry from Arror and Kimwarer dams which have been hit by a major graft scandal.

Chelugui now says that the two dams under contention are not under his ministry and that they are being implemented by the Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA) under the ministry of East African Cooperation and Regional Development.

KVDA dismissed the allegations saying the stalled projects are on schedule and will be completed within the contracted period.

In a paid up advert in the dailies, KVDA said the implementation of the two dams followed all legal considerations and termed the much-hyped stories on the projects as misleading and outrageous.