Arror-Kimwarer dams scandal: Three KVDA officials arrested in Eldoret

Three officials from the Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA) were on Monday arrested and are presently being detained at Central Police Station in Eldoret.

David Juma Onyango and Francis Chepkonga Kipkech from the Tender Committee, as well as Charity Mui (Ad hoc Technical and Financial Evaluation Committee Team 2) were arrested in connection with the Arror and Kimwarer dams scandal.

Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) had earlier raided the KVDA offices in search of former Managing Director David Kipchumba Kimosop.

The search was however fruitless as Mr. Kimosop was not in the premises and his location remains unknown.

Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich and National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) CEO Geoffrey Wahungu, who were also being sought over the multi-billion shilling scam, have since presented themselves to the DCI headquarters.

This comes after Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji ordered the DCI to effect the arrest and immediate arraignment of 28 suspects over the scandal that led to the loss of over Ksh.19 billion.

DPP Haji said the alleged contract signed between KVDA and CMC Di Ravenna stated that Kimwarer Dam would cost $204,020,149.02 (approx. Ksh. 20 billion) while Arror Dam would cost $252,188,732.27 (approx. Ksh.25 billion), totaling approximately Ksh.46 billion.

However, he added, the National Treasury negotiated a commercial facility increasing the amount to Ksh.63 billion; which is Ksh.17 billion more.

“Of note, out of the Ksh.63 Billion in respect of the projects, as at January 2019, the government of Kenya has made the following payments: advance payment, commitment fee, insurance and other costs totaling Ksh.19,714,366,991,” he said.

Additional reporting by John Wanyama.