This archive report was first published on 8 December 2019.
On September 17, 2019, the Itare Dam site in Kuresoi South, Nakuru County, was a hub of activity. However, the project's fate took a turn for the worse due to corruption allegations involving high-profile government officials.
According to sources, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has summoned several high-ranking government officials to record statements regarding the stalled project.
Water Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui has already recorded a statement with the DCI's serious crime unit investigators. Sources close to the investigation revealed that two Cabinet Secretaries and all members of the Rift Valley Water Services Board are among those being sought for questioning.
Chelugui, who served in the Water Ministry between 2013 and 2018, told investigators that he found the Itare dam contracts had already been signed when he took over from Devolution and Planning Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa.
During the launch of the Resource Centre on Ground Water Resources Education, Training, and Research Strategic Plan 2018-2022 in Nairobi, Chelugui stated that he was not in office during the procurement process of the dam project.
“Itare dam project started in 2014 and that’s when it was signed, sealed, and delivered. I, however, took over office in 2018 and found payments had been done and work was going on,” Chelugui said.
Investigations have revealed that despite the dam being cleared for construction and an Sh11 billion advance payment made, the contractors were yet to receive authority from the Kenya Forest Service to provide a pathway in the forest where the water pipes would pass.
The National Management Environment Authority approved the construction of the dam, but the investigators want to establish how the procurement for the construction works was done.
Already, the investigators have mapped out how the Sh11 billion was paid out to a company. The construction of the Itare dam has stalled after CMC Di Ravenna, the company contracted to build it, was declared bankrupt.
