Rotich, co-accused intended to steal Sh80b in dams scheme, says DPP

Bernice Mbugua @BerniceMuhindi

Former Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich, his Principal Secretary Kamau Thugge and other accused persons intended to steal over Sh80 billion through Arror and Kimwarer multi-purpose dam projects,  the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) now claims.

The DPP was responding to a suit filed by Richard Malebe, an advocate who the prosecution alleges is a director of CMC Di Ravenna Kenya branch, which was involved in the over Sh51 billion Kimwarer and Arror dams’ scandal.

In an affidavit by Thomas Tanui, a detective with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the DPP claims investigations established that Malebe, Rotich, Thugge and others conspired to commit the offences.

Misrepresent case

 According to DPP, it all started as a concept paper involving seven dam projects among them Kimwarer and Arror that was sent to Cabinet for approval.

“The said projects were concocted purely for purposes of looting public funds but as they were not part of the National Water Master plan, they could only be made possible with the cooperation and conspiracy of the accused persons working for a common unlawful purpose,” claimed Tanui.

The DPP, through special prosecution counsel Taib Ali Taib, told Justice Mumbi Ngugi  that Malebe out rightly lied to the court and  as a result obtained exparte orders.

In a petition filed on February 13, Mabele, who is yet to plead to the charges, sought to prohibit his prosecution.

The court will deliver its ruling on April 29.