Alex Tolgos
STATEMENT ON THE ONGOING INVESTIGATIONS SURROUNDING THE CONSTRUCTION OF ARROR AND KIMWARER DAMS IN ELGEYO MARAKWET COUNTY
We are saddened to learn about the unfolding corruption revelations involving multi-billion Arror and Kimwarer multipurpose dams which are to be undertaken in our county.
The two mega projects are expected to make immense economic transformation of lives of the residents through massive irrigation of farmlands in Kerio valley alongside generation of hydro- power.
In view of ongoing investigations resulting from the alleged siphoning of the funds intended for the projects, we believe that all is not lost yet and the projects will still be implemented regardless of the underhand dealings perpetuated by cartels.
Our hope is in H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta and we appeal to him to see to it that the projects will continue once all the culprits responsible for loss of these initial funds will have been brought to book.
Kerio Valley Development Authority KVDA, the State agency overseeing implementation of this projects and now at the centre of the storm has the capacity to undertake the project to completion. After all, KVDA implemented the successful establishment of Turkwel Gorge and many other projects in the past.
However, the challenge has been the leadership of the current KVDA Managing Director MD Mr David Kimosop whose activities have messed the successful start of these projects.
Under his leadership, KVDA has been a one man show characterised by stalled projects everywhere including Tot KVDA farm, Chepkum irrigation project, Arror KVDA guest House among others that he found flourishing when he took over.
I am not the only Governor who has over time raised the red flag on his operations. My colleague Governors of West Pokot, Baringo and Turkana have called for disbandment of KVDA if Kimosop continued mismanaging the once vibrant regional authority.
The revelations that Sh.21 Billion has been paid for work in empty thickets, has taken us by surprise.
The speed with which the money was released to the suspected individuals and their companies should have been used in acquiring the land for displaced families by compensating the land owners.
This process was flawed from the start and I was the only person to go on record to oppose the manner in which KVDA handled the process without participation of the people.
We cannot afford to lose a project of this magnitude whose implementation will tremendously change the lives of many people in Elgeyo Marakwet.
I urge the President to use all the available State machinery to ensure the looted money is recovered from the suspects and put into the intended purpose.
If the Italian contractor awarded these projects does not have the capacity as claimed to be bankrupt, they should be re-tendered and awarded to another contractor.
STATEMENT ON THE ONGOING INVESTIGATIONS SURROUNDING THE CONSTRUCTION OF ARROR AND KIMWARER DAMS IN ELGEYO MARAKWET COUNTY
We are saddened to learn about the unfolding corruption revelations involving multi-billion Arror and Kimwarer multipurpose dams which are to be undertaken in our county.
The two mega projects are expected to make immense economic transformation of lives of the residents through massive irrigation of farmlands in Kerio valley alongside generation of hydro- power.
In view of ongoing investigations resulting from the alleged siphoning of the funds intended for the projects, we believe that all is not lost yet and the projects will still be implemented regardless of the underhand dealings perpetuated by cartels.
Our hope is in H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta and we appeal to him to see to it that the projects will continue once all the culprits responsible for loss of these initial funds will have been brought to book.
Kerio Valley Development Authority KVDA, the State agency overseeing implementation of this projects and now at the centre of the storm has the capacity to undertake the project to completion. After all, KVDA implemented the successful establishment of Turkwel Gorge and many other projects in the past.
However, the challenge has been the leadership of the current KVDA Managing Director MD Mr David Kimosop whose activities have messed the successful start of these projects.
Under his leadership, KVDA has been a one man show characterised by stalled projects everywhere including Tot KVDA farm, Chepkum irrigation project, Arror KVDA guest House among others that he found flourishing when he took over.
I am not the only Governor who has over time raised the red flag on his operations. My colleague Governors of West Pokot, Baringo and Turkana have called for disbandment of KVDA if Kimosop continued mismanaging the once vibrant regional authority.
The revelations that Sh.21 Billion has been paid for work in empty thickets, has taken us by surprise.
The speed with which the money was released to the suspected individuals and their companies should have been used in acquiring the land for displaced families by compensating the land owners.
This process was flawed from the start and I was the only person to go on record to oppose the manner in which KVDA handled the process without participation of the people.
We cannot afford to lose a project of this magnitude whose implementation will tremendously change the lives of many people in Elgeyo Marakwet.
I urge the President to use all the available State machinery to ensure the looted money is recovered from the suspects and put into the intended purpose.
If the Italian contractor awarded these projects does not have the capacity as claimed to be bankrupt, they should be re-tendered and awarded to another contractor.
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