Ruto promises to build 1,000 dams across the country as he vows to revive Kimwarer and Arror dams
Ruto promises to build 1,000 dams across the country as he vows to revive Kimwarer and Arror dams in Elgeyo Marakwet county.
As part of the Kenya Kwanza government’s effort to boost food production, President William Ruto has announced plans to build 1,000 dams across the country.
On Sunday, November 13, the President stated during a church service at Kabarnet ASK Showground in Baringo that the projects for the dams will be carried out through a Public-Private partnership program.
The first 100 dams will be built, according to Ruto, before the projects are expanded to other areas of the nation.
In addition, Ruto vowed to revive the controversial Sh63 billion Kimwarer and Arror dams in Elgeyo Marakwet county.
He said the two were among more than 1,000 dams lined up for construction and de-silting to address perennial water shortages and food insecurity.
“Najua kumekuwa na Kiswahili kuhusu Kimwarer na Arror dams (I know Arror and Kimwarer dams have had a lot of issues). I however assure you the two dams will be done to their full completion during my tenure,” said the President.
He noted that the construction and renovation of dams in Baringo will empower livestock farmers who need water for their livestock.
Ruto said relying on the government budget alone to finance the projects was not sustainable, hence the move to strike deals with the private sector.
Henry Rotich, a former cabinet secretary, and David Kimosop, a former managing director of the Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA), are accused of corruption in connection with the two projects; Kimwarer and Arror.
Rotich is suspected of assisting an erroneous Sh11 billion offshore payment to an Italian insurance company to fund the two dams, raising questions about potential payments to project personnel.
In court documents, Rotich is charged with violating the law, which mandates that all payments be made through the consolidated account in Kenya, by allowing the direct payment of the sum to Italy’s SACE Insurance. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji is the accuser.
The Arror Dam in Marakwet West was to cost Sh38 billion while the Kimwarer Dam in Keiyo South was earmarked to consume Sh28 billion.
In 2019, then Deputy President Ruto sensationally claimed “only” Sh7 billion was lost in the controversial projects as opposed to the Sh21 billion in question.
“You have heard that the government has lost Sh21 billion in Kimwarer and Arror dams which is a flat lie. The money in question is about Sh7 billion and for every coin that has been paid, we have a bank guarantee,” Ruto said then.
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