Duale reveals why EACC won’t probe Kenya-Somalia border wall scandal

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National Assembly majority leader Aden Duale has revealed why EACC detectives can’t probe the stalled Kenya-Somalia border wall project.

Details have emerged that until now, the government has spent Ksh 3.3 billion on 10 kilometres only on a project that is 700km long.

The Garissa Township MP revealed that due to insecurity reasons, EACC officers can’t dare going to the ground to see what really happened.

“The whole concept of the project was to eat money. People running it know that just because of insecurity EACC cannot go there,” he said.

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He further questioned why the office of the Auditor General has not filed any report on the wall three financial years down the line.

“The committee chair must recommend that there is no value for money. The EACC, DPP, DCI must move with speed and bring the culprits who built the wire mesh,” Duale said.

They want the investigation conducted with a view to prosecute those suspected to be using the project as a cash cow.

The debate came up after members of the Defence and Foreign Relations Committee subjected a status report on the security project for further review by members.

A file photo of Majority leader Aden Duale.

Members heard that the works have stalled and equipment that was being used by the National Youth Service left idle in Mandera.

The border fence was birthed on January 30, 2015, following the approval by the National Security Advisory Committee. Later, the Executive visited the US-Mexico; Israel- Syria; India- Pakistan borders for lessons.

The Kenya-Somalia border extends from Mandera to Lamu with official crossing points at Mandera, Elwak, Liboi and Ishakani.

There are hundreds of uncontrolled access points used by al Shabaab operatives, undocumented migrants and traders. The government loses Sh2 billion in uncollected revenue annually.

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Much as members said the idea is noble and should be supported, they held that the project must not be used as a ground for a few individuals to loot state coffers.

Fafi MP Mohamed Ousman said since not much is happening on the ground, the project risks being a white elephant – a case of another mega corruption.

“We cannot use government money to enrich very few people in this country,” he said.

MP James Lomenen (Turkana South) said “people have taken advantage to embezzle funds in such areas because they think auditors will not get there.”

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He said the government must ensure it fast-tracks works on incomplete projects in South Sudan, Uganda and Ethiopia borders.

Muhoroni’s Onyango K’Oyoo backed calls for the DCI to be briefed on the alleged loss of funds for the perpetrators to be punished.

“It is very troubling that 7km has cost the government Sh7 billion. Does it mean each kilometre will cost Sh1 billion?  The idea is noble and should be supported but with proper checks and oversight.”

Daadab MP Mohamed Dahir said, “Shabaab cannot be fought using walls. It is not clear how our security managers cannot advise our government on what to do. The government has never involved leaders in the fence project.”

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