Treasury CS Henry Rotich and Treasury PS Kamau Thugge have surrendered to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations after the DPP called for their arrest. The two, among 28 officials including government officers, have been named by the DPP over their involvement in the Arror and Kimwarer dams in Elgeyo Marakwet. Other notable officials who’ve been placed under the arrest list include Kerio Valley Development boss David Kimosop and NEMA CEO Geoffrey Mwangi Wahungu.
Speaking on Monday, DPP Noordin Haji said the conception, procurement and payment process in the whole Arror, Kimwarer projects had massive irregularities. He said the contract was awarded to Italian Company CMC di Ravenna for the construction of the dams, yet officials knew the company was heading towards liquidation. Haji further stated that the estimated cost was approximately Kshs 46 billion for the two dams, but the Treasury negotiated a commercial facility bringing the amount to approximately Kshs 63 billion.
The charges faced by the officials include abuse of office, conspiracy to defraud, failure to comply with applicable procedures and guidelines of procurement, fraudulent acquisition of public property among others. They are set to be arraigned in court on Tuesday.
However, Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen has said the war on corruption is non-existet and it’s just a PR stunt. Speaking outside the DCI Headquarters along Kiambu Road, Murkomen said the arrests are being made so swiftly without a strong foundation to prefer charges. “We are not fighting corruption. What is happening is that we are lying to the citizens of Kenya that we are fighting corruption,” he said, “We are creating a narrative that is meant to show there is an ongoing fight against corruption in this country…I have come to the conclusion that we are just exercising PR stunts to lie to the people of Kenya that we are fighting corruption.” He said he will be proven right when the final decision in court will be made.