DCI grills Treasury CS Rotich over dams scandal

Treasury CS Henry Rotich is currently at the DCI Headquarters in Kiambu over the multi-billion dams scandal.

According to police sources, the CS is set to give clarification on the Arror and Kimwarer dams saga that has rocked the country in the past few weeks.

This is the second time the CS has appeared before the DCI. He had earlier recorded a statement over the same matter.

Rotich is accompanied by his lawyer Katwa Kigen.

Last week, the CS said the advance payment made to the contractor of the two dams was done within the law.

In a statement, Rotich said media reports over the alleged misappropriation of Sh28 billion is misleading and damaging to government's image.

"We would like to stress that all projects whether domestic or externally funded are implemented in strict adherence to the law and in accordance with the commercial and financing agreements," he said.

Read: Rotich defends payments for dams project, says deal above board

"In this particular case, if there were any breaches, the ongoing investigations will capture that."

Rotich said according to the Public Procurement and Disposal Act 2015, the contractor of the projects; Service Assicurativi Del Comercio Estero (SACE) of Italy was entitled to 15 per cent advance payment.

He said under the Facility Agreement and the Commercial contract signed between the Kerio Valley Development Authority and SACE, Treasury approved payment of Sh4.3 billion for Arror dam as advance payment.

See more: DCI summons directors of firms linked to Sh63bn tenders for Kimwarer, Arror dams

He said the advance payment is meant to facilitate the contractor to move to the site and start a project implementation.

The CS clarified that the funds were part of the loan facility advanced by SACE and not from the exchequer.

Already, the DCI has summoned 107 companies (including 27 directors) to record statements overpayments they received concerning the two projects in Elgeyo Marakwet county.