Amid probe into the dams scandal, Industrialisation Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya has made fresh revelations on the Sh 21 billions that has been in question regarding the construction of Kimwarer and Arror dams in the Rift Valley.
The revelations are likely to heighten tensions within the Jubilee administration.
A local daily understands that the details emerged as anti-graft detectives on Tuesday grilled two more CSs and a Principal Secretary.
Another ex-minister, now a diplomat, has been recalled for questioning.
Munya recounted to detectives yesterday how he resisted pressure from some top Jubilee leaders to sign documents that would have released an additional Sh4 billion in taxpayers’ cash.
He served for six months as the CS for the East Africa Community and Regional Development, the parent ministry implementing the construction of the Arror and Kimwarer dams in Elgeyo-Marawet county.
About Sh21 billion has already been paid out for the dams.
Sh7.8 billion was paid to the bankrupt Italian contractor CMC di Ravenna, while another Sh11.2 billion was paid to SACE Insurance Premium, an Italian government agency.
Under intense pressure to sign, Munya, a lawyer by training, reportedly wrote to Treasury Chief Henry Rotich, informing him that the dam tenders did not follow laid-down procedures.
He advised against the release of more cash.
“We have heard all manner of claims including how Munya was put under pressure by some top government officials to sign documents and when he refused he was transferred,” an investigator privy to the matter told a local daily.
It is not clear if Munya had named a top government official who attempted to arm-twist him into signing documents.
Munya, whom the detectives are likely to use as a witness, was not required to present any documents when he appeared before Serious Crimes Unit investigators.
A section of Deputy President William Ruto’s allies have openly expressed their discomfort with the vocal Munya who, until his appointment to the Cabinet last year, was Meru governor.
Some of the DP’s allies have bitterly blamed Munya for allegedly blackmailing Rotich before going ahead to be the whistle-blower after his moves were rejected