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The row surrounding the supply of water from Chebara Dam in Marakwet West constituency which has caused a rift between Uasin Gishu and Elgeyo-Marakwet counties has now found its way into the National Assembly.

Chebara dam in Moiben-Kuserwo Ward, Marakwet West Sub-County in Elgeyo Marakwet has been supplying 36,000 cubic metres of water per day water for more than three decades to Eldoret Water and Sanitation Company (Eldowas) and serves the residents of Eldoret town and its environs.

Water Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome was on Wednesday hard-pressed to explain how Sh620.5 million allocated towards Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects for institutions which were relocated to pave way for the setting up of the dam was utilized.

Marakwet West MP Timothy Kipchumba wanted the government to indicate the amount of money the Ministry allocated Chebara Boys Secondary School, Chebara Girls Secondary School, AIC Chebara and Kaptomut Primary School for their relocation.

“As we speak, many of the projects have stalled. We want the CS to shed light on how the money allocated to each institution was utilized and the pending bills accruing from the projects that the Ministry is undertaking in the above institutions,” said Kipchumba.

According to Wahome, of the Sh620.5 million, Sh237.6 million was awarded to Chebara Boys Secondary School which was given to Kishan builders and others.

Another Sh136.2 million was issued to Chebara Youth Polytechnic which was awarded to Rapola General Contractors Limited and others to undertake development projects at the institution.

According to Wahome, Chebara Girls Secondary School was also awarded Sh126.2 million while Chebara Boys Chapel got Sh30.7 million.

Others included: Chebara Primary School (Sh18.4 million) while Kaptomut Primary School was awarded Sh71 million.

Wahome said a multi-agency team of members from the Ministry of Water, the Ministry of Education, county governments of Uasin Gishu and Elgeyo Marakwet and North Rift Water Works Development Agency was recently dispatched to establish the expenditure of the CSR projects.

She said in its recommendations, the multi-agency team proposed that the Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development undertake a detailed appraisal to establish the quantities and scope of the pending works.

Wahome said the team also recommended that the Ministry of Education should compel Chebara Secondary School to provide original copies of all contracts, procurement records, financial records and project implementation documents.

“The multi-agency team also recommended that relevant investigative agencies conduct a forensic audit and investigation of the projects and take necessary action,” said the CS.

People Daily, however, established that the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) had in the past carried out investigations into allegations of irregularities in the award of the tenders but the report is yet to be made public.

The row between Elgeyo Marakwet and Uasin Gishu counties escalated recently after Eldowas sacked casual workers and a director at the firm.

Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich has demanded the reinstatement of all staff who were fired after locals protested.

According to Rotich, people living near the dam had protected water sources for many years and it was unfair for the water firm to dismiss staff from his county.

“Residents of Chebara, especially those who live upstream have for many years had a persistent concern over access to water from the dam for their use. They have in fact scaled down their farming activities so as to protect the dam from erosion and encroachment which has reduced their earnings,” noted Rotich.

According to the Governor, the dam which is almost three decades old, has been a shared resource and residents of Chebara deserve to be commended for their conservation efforts which has seen constant supply of water to Eldoret town and its environs.

But Eldowas Managing Director Peter Biwott has defended the firm and accused local leaders of politicising the issue.

“We have been working cordially with the local people and we have employed a lot of them from the ward and distributed water to the people,” said Biwott.

Biwott has also defended the decision to fire senior directors, noting that it was in line with the Senate recommendations.

“The Senate came up with the recommendations when we appeared before them. The report recommended removal of directors among other reforms to enhance efficiency of the firm,” said Biwott.