Official shocks committee members, says Sh580 million spent on clearing bushes

Principal Secretary for Irrigation, Professor Fred Sugor shocked a parliamentary committee after he declared that his department used Sh580 million to clear bushes and shrubs to pave way for Galana-Kulalu mega project.

Prof. Sugor who seemed not to have given much thought to what he was saying was shocked after the legislators who were not amused stopped him midway through his presentation.

Senator Ndwiga Peter Njeru, the committee chair wants to conduct a forensic audit on the project.

"We are staring at another white elephant and stand to lose a lot of money if we don't handle things well," Njeru said.

“Do you know what you are saying? Half a billion was used to cut bushes. Don’t you think that is not wastage of public resources?” posed a member of the house team.

A chairman of a state agency attempted to intervene to save face but the damage had already been done.