Deputy President’s Aide Links To Sh63bn Dams Scandal

The Chief of Staff of Kenya’s Deputy President, Ken Osinde, is in the spotlight for connections between his company and a Sh21 billon scandal relating to the proposed construction of Arror and Kamwerer dams in Elgeyo-Marakwet County. 

The phantom projects were due to start in December 17 but despite National Treasury outlays of Sh21 billion the major contractor has since filed for bankruptcy. The case is currently under investigation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations. 

Osinde’s connection comes via his directorship of Sanlam General Insurance Ltd, which was allegedly paid almost Sh47 million by the Italian company CMC di Ravenna-Itinera. CMC di Ravenna-Itinera was contracted by Kerio Valley Development Authority in 2017 and was paid billions by the National Treasury for the dams, despite having never been on site. 

Others to have been named along with Osinde for their connections are Telkom Kenya CEO Mugo Kibati, the late cabinet minister John Michuki and the late Godfrey Karuri.

Speaking on the case director of the Investigations Bureau John Kariuki is quoted as stating, “What we do not understand yet is how people supplied materials for a project that had not even started. We also do not understand how money was disbursed yet there was no proper documentation.” 

“For now, we are just analysing the documents they came with and taking statements from them. We cannot say at this point that someone is guilty of an offence or not,” he added.