Raila Accuses Ruto: Billions Meant for Nyanza Projects Diverted
Odinga, leader of the opposition party Azimio la Umoja, launched a scathing attack on President William Ruto on Thursday, May 11, alleging that his administration contributed to stalled projects in the Nyanza region.
Raila asserted that the Head of State was secretly diverting funds from the projects to other activities in other parts of the nation.
Raila, while addressing the residents of Kisumu County, singled out the Ksh20 billion Koru-Soin Multi-purpose Dam, which he claimed had stalled despite the allocation of funds for its construction.
“In the budget for last year, they allocated Ksh1.5 billion for the first phase of the project. “Unfortunately, even though the contractor had reported to the Koru-Soin Dam site, the government withdrew that contractor,” Raila stated.
The leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) also claimed that the funds allocated by the administration of former President Uhuru Kenyatta were misappropriated.
“Money that was earmarked for this project was diverted to other projects,” Raila stated as he warned of unspecified repercussions.
Raila further questioned why President Ruto had not recently listed the Koru-Soin Dam for construction, given that its design, tender process, and commissioning had been completed pending the release of funds.
“The Nyando and Koru-Soin dams must be reinstated to the budget because the residents of this region are Kenyan citizens and taxpayers,” Raila stated.
The former prime minister visited flood victims in Kisumu County’s Nyando Constituency, where he distributed food and criticized the government for ignoring the residents’ plight.
Alongside Raila at the food distribution event. Kisumu County Governor Professor Anyang’ Ny’ong’o disclosed that his administration had allocated Ksh200 million. For the project that had stalled in the middle of its execution.
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The dam is anticipated to have a capacity of 100 million cubic meters. And will serve multiple purposes, including irrigation, water supply, hydropower generation, and flood control.
The Koru-Soin Dam project has been in development for several years. And has received both praise and criticism from across the nation.
Proponents argue that the dam will provide much-needed water for irrigation. And domestic use in the region, as well as boost economic development by generating clean energy.
Opponents, on the other hand. Argue that the dam will have negative environmental and social consequences, including the displacement of communities. The loss of wildlife habitat, and alterations to the river ecosystem.
The Kenyan government was implementing the project with funding assistance from the World Bank and the French Development Agency.
It was anticipated that construction would begin in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic, among other issues, slowed progress.
Irrigation Principal Secretary Gitonga Mugambi announced in February 2023. That construction of the Ksh20 billion dam would commence in March of the same year.
According to him, Ksh2.2 billion would be required to settle 1,100 people and acquire 455 land parcels for their use.
According to reports, the National Land Commission (NLC) processed compensation documentation. Pending the transfer of funds from the National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority (NWHSA).
Raila Accuses Ruto: Billions Meant for Nyanza Projects Diverted
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