No one is above the law in Kenya. The devil behind the dam scandal is now paying for his sins. The DCI is slowly stamping his authority and the impact is pinching the top conspirators.
More trouble is piling for CMC di Ravenna, the Italian firm at the centre of a Sh21 billion dams scandal, after a high court froze its assets in Kenya.
Justice Francis Tuiyott stopped CMC di Ravenna from selling, transferring or interfering with equipment and 98 motor vehicles that were bought through loans advanced by Barclays Bank of Kenya.
The move has not only crippled the operations of the firm, but also added to the financial problems that saw it abandon the multibillion-shilling Itare Dam in Nakuru County and fail to commence construction of the Sh61 billion Arror and Kimwarer dams in Elgeyo-Marakwet County.
The seized vehicles and equipment were intended for use in the scandal-hit dams, which have become the focus of criminal investigations by detectives.C
Barclays initially wanted all the motor vehicles and equipment surrendered to a yard in Industrial Area owned by Leakey’s Auctioneers, which the lender hired to help pursue its €5.1 million (Sh585 million) debt.
The assets will remain at the agreed space to help preserve them, as the hearing of the judge presides over the dispute. The case will be mentioned on Monday to confirm compliance.
“This honourable court does issue and order CMC di Ravenna to forthwith deliver all the motor vehicles and equipment listed and described in the schedule to Casuarina Limited, opposite Midland Hotel, Nakuru, for purposes of preservation of the said motor vehicles and equipment pending the hearing and determination of this application,” Justice Tuiyott ordered.