Sh21 Billion Dam Scandal is a Flat Lie, Deputy President William Ruto Says
Deputy President William Ruto has dismissed claims that Sh21 billion have been lost in the Arror and Kimwarer dam projects.
Ruto says only Sh7 billion is in question in the two multi-purpose dam projects in Elgeyo-Marakwet.
Describing the claims as a "flat lie", Ruto says theirs is a “responsible government" that will ensure no taxpayers' cash is lost.
“You have heard that the government has lost Ksh.21 billion in Kimwarer and Arror dams which is a flat lie. The money in question is about Ksh.7 billion and for every coin that has been paid, we have a bank guarantee,” says Ruto.
“No money will be lost because we are a responsible government, we have engaged every arm of government to make sure that public resources are safe and therefore the correct info must be used as we target the fight against corruption so that we can nail the true culprits.”
Ruto's remarks come after the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) summoned directors of more than 100 companies who received payments for supply of different items for the dams.
It has also emerged that Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich, his Devolution counterpart Eugene Wamalwa, and Treasury PS Kamau Thugge may be questioned by the DCI as detectives dig into the dam’s scandal.
Some of the firms are said to have received millions for the supply of bed sheets and towels, in tenders that were supposed to be about the two dams.
Ruto has spoken on Thursday at the State Of The Judiciary workshop at the High Court in Nairobi which was graced by President Kenyatta and Chief Justice David Maraga.
“The narrative that is being built that anything the government is doing must be corrupt. We must be sincere and honest about what is going on so that we don’t criminalize and bastardize or create propaganda around every government initiative,” Ruto notes.
“Our commitment as the executive, as the legislature and judiciary, there is a now a mechanism and synergy around what we must do so that we can deliver for the people of Kenya."
" We must proceed on that basis and on the basis of factual information so that we can do justice to our country and use of public resources in the right manner."