Forget about dams! Kenya-Somalia border wall project is a major scam

Do you remember the project that was initiated by the government as a move of warding off the most feared war group Alshabaab? Well, the project aimed at building a 700km wall along Kenya-Somalia boarder, but until now, Ksh. 3.3 billions has been spent to build only 10 kilometres!

The Members of Parliament on Wednesday raised fears that the taxpayers may have lost money in the project.

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The lawmakers have invited the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), and office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to probe the matter.

Leader of Majority Aden Duale said that “state offices cannot use insecurity or the threat by al Shabaab to steal and plunder monies allocated to the project.”

The Garissa Township MP said the wall should have by now passed Liboi, Fafi, Ijara and  extended to Boni forest.

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“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.

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.

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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.

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

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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.

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.

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