Treasury CS Henry Rotich and PS Kamau Thugge have been released on a bond of Kshs 50 million and a surety of the same amount or a cash bail of Kshs 15 million each. The two are among 28 accused persons facing graft charges surrounding the Arror and Kimwarer dams projects. Other accused persons were released on different bail and bond charges, with NEMA boss Geoffrey Mwangi Wahungu admitted to a bond of Kshs 2 million with a surety of the same amount or a cash bail of Kshs 750,000.
Appearing before magistrate Douglas Ogoti at the Milimani Law Courts on Tuesday, the accused persons denied the charges preferred against them including abuse of office. The magistrate ordered all the accused to deposit their passports and their travelling documents in court. All the accused have also been barred from accessing their offices during the period of the case, “The places of work of the accused persons are considered scenes of crime and they should keep away,” he said adding that If there is any need to visit their places of work that should be done in the company of the investigating officer.
Treasury CS Henry Rotich and Treasury PS Kamau Thugge surrendered to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations after the DPP called for their arrest on Monday, over their involvement in the Arror and Kimwarer dams scandal. Other notable officials include PS Susan Koech, former Kerio Valley Development boss David Kimosop and NEMA CEO Geoffrey Mwangi Wahungu.
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.
