The construction of the controversial Arror and Kimwarer dams will resume soon Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has announced.
The construction of the mega dams was halted in 2019 after it emerged that taxpayers' money may have been lost.
Gachagua claimed that the dams which were to be constructed in Marakwet East and Keiyo South sub-counties respectively, were stopped over political rivalry between President William Ruto and his former boss Uhuru Kenyatta.
The dams were to cost Sh63 billion but ran into controversy which led to the firing of former Treasury Cabinet Secretary (CS) Henry Rotich among other top government officials in 2019.
Following the controversy, the Arror Dam was scaled down from Sh35 billion to Sh15 billion, but still, its construction did not start.
The proposed Kimwarer dam on the other hand was canceled.
"Arror and Kimwarer dams were canceled because of retrogressive politics. They wanted to stop government projects in President Ruto's backyard and use it to make him unpopular," Gachagua said during a women and youth empowerment fundraiser in Keiyo North on Friday.
"The DCI used falsehoods and unsubstantiated corruption claims as reasons to cause suspension of government officials."
In 2021, an Italian company contracted to construct the two dams sued Kenya at the International Court of Arbitration, demanding more than Sh11 billion over the cancellation of the projects.
"The contractor had taken the government to a court in the UK for breach of contract and that would be costly to the country. But we pleaded with the contractor to withdraw the case so that we avoid the huge penalties. He will be on site soon," Gachagua said.
The DP also said construction of the stalled Kamariny Stadium which has been deserted since 2020 will resume this Financial Year.
"Kamariny stadium was stopped after leaders from the Rift Valley rejected BBI. You can't punish young athletics talents because of a stand taken by a leader who lives in Nairobi," he said.
Leaders who accompanied Gachagua to the empowerment event held at Iten grounds hailed the state for taming banditry along the Kerio Valley belt cutting across Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, and Turkana.
Gachagua said the security apparatus will not allow armed bandits to kill and steal livestock in the region.
He said the joint operation launched by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki was yielding fruits.
"The banditry nonsense has now stopped and the guns have gone silent. We will not allow bandits to kill innocent locals like chicken when we have a government in place," Gachagua added.
He was accompanied by Cabinet Secretaries Moses Kuria (Trade), Kipchumba Murkomen (roads), and Simon Chelugui (Cooperatives). Governor Wisley Rotich and several MPs graced the occasion organized by Keiyo North MP Adams Kipsanai.
