Elgeyo-Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen has defended the controversial Kimwarer Dam’s viability, a month after President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered its construction cancellation.
In his September directive, the President indicated that the Ksh22.2 billion Dam was not financially or technically viable.
The Kimwarer Dam had been a topic of public discourse after claims of fraudulent transactions emerged, alongside Arror Dam.
It also emerged that the company awarded the contract for construction of the dams, CMC Di Rivenna, was facing liquidation in its home country, Italy.
President Kenyatta, however, allowed the continuation of the Arror Dam with a new design and cost cutting measures.
On Monday, Murkomen took to Twitter to express his dissatisfaction with Uhuru’s verdict that Kimwarer Dam was not viable, sharing a video of water flowing abundantly and forcefully in the Kimwarer River, where water for the disputed resevoir was set to be drawn.
“Kimwarer River Elgeyo Marakwet not viable ni wewe (Kimwarer River in Elgeyo Markwet is totally viable),” the Senator captioned the video.
Kimwarer River Elgeyo Marakwet – Not viable ni wewe. 🤦♂️ pic.twitter.com/XTKUr9Kruz
— KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN, E.G.H (@kipmurkomen) October 21, 2019
Top government officials, including Treasury Cabinet Secret Henry Rotich, were questioned for alleged corrupt dealings in the two Dams, which the Director of Public Prosecution said had led to the loss of at leash Ksh20 billion as of January.
“Being the Cabinet Secretary, Principal Secretary, Chief Economist, Director Resources Mobilisation Department of National Treasury and planning, East African Community PS and the Managing Director Kerio Valley Authority respectively being persons whose functions concerned the management of public funds failed to comply with applicable law relating to procurement,” charges levied agaist CS Rotich, Treasury Principal Secretary Kamau Thugge amongst several others read in part.
Deputy President William Ruto had come to the defense of the two projects, disputing the claims that Ksh20 billion had been isappropriated and stating that only Ksh7 billion had been paid out irregularly.