EACC urged to probe Sh152m stalled project
Central
By
Phares Mutembei
| Jan 08, 2024
The residents of Tigania West in Meru County have called on the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to investigate the Sh152 million Kiingirwa Irrigation Scheme project that stalled eight years ago.
Former Water Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa launched the project in 2016 but it is yet to be commissioned.
The community in the semi-arid Athwana area, which stretches to the border with Isiolo County, were optimistic the project would address their food insecurity once complete.
Thousands of families in Athwana and Akithi wards who had contributed money to start the project were happy when the national government pumped Sh152 million to enable them to pump water from the Liuti River in the Nyambene Hills for farming.
Despite staging several protests over the stalled project, locals say they do not know how the allocated money was spent.
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Locals who have in the past staged peaceful demonstrations to demand answers said they would not give up on their quest to know the truth about who got the tender to do the work, the money spent and why the project was never completed.
Catherine Akotha who was the chairperson of the project has since passed on.
Her son Cosmas Akotha said he is unaware of what happened to the funds allocated for the project because there was nothing on the ground, no working pipeline, and no water.
"We have held demonstrations at government offices to demand answers but all our efforts are futile. That amount of money would have addressed perennial drought as we depend on relief food because we live in a dry region," he said.
He said members had bought pipes, and former Tigania West MP Dr Kilemi Mwiria had also assisted the community with money to purchase more pipes and other materials for the project.
"Dr Mwiria gave the community Sh2 million to buy pipes, and as members, we made contributions, but the project never materialised," he said.
Athwana MCA Jim Muchui said the project would have benefitted residents to grow food and earn income. "We are asking the government to help us complete the project. We are blessed with very fertile land but no water for agriculture."
Rosemary Kathambi said: "We just want to know where the money went, and if some people are found to have stolen it, necessary action should be taken."