Kenya’s Finance Minister, Henry Rotich, was arrested on Monday when he surrendered himself to the police. The minister is accused of flouting proper procurement procedures in allotting a contract worth over $450m (£405m) for the construction of two hydro-electric dams to the Italian company CMC de Ravenna.
The arrest comes after Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji ordered for the arrest of Rotich and 27 other top officials over corruption allegations and financial misconduct related to a multi-million dollar project for the construction of two mega-dams. The accused face eight charges, ranging from conspiring to defraud and financial misconduct. The arrest marks the first time a sitting Kenyan minister has been arrested on corruption charges.
Haji pointed out that the conception, procurement and payment processes for the dam project was riddled with massive illegalities, reported BBC.
“Investigations established that government officials flouted all procurement rules and abused their oath of office to ensure the scheme went through,” said Haji.
According to the contract, the project was to cost a total of $450 million (401 million euros), but the treasury had increased this amount by $164 million without regard to performance or works. While more than $200m has already been spent on the dam projects, the dams do not exist yet.
The chief prosecutor said another $6 million was paid out for the resettlement of people living in areas that would be affected by the project, but there is no evidence of land being acquired for this.
“I am satisfied that economic crimes were committed and I have therefore approved their arrests and prosecutions,” said Haji.
Rotich denied any wrongdoing related to the projects in a newspaper ad in March. The Italian company has also denied the accusations.
Rotich, who is currently in police custody, is due to appear in court on Tuesday.
