Ruto Restarts Ksh66B Arror and Kimwarer Dams Project In Deal With Italy

President William Ruto has announced that the talks surrounding the construction of the Kimwarer, Arror and Itare dams in the North Rift Valley part of Kenya have been revived.

Speaking on Tuesday, March 14 after a meeting with President Sergio Mattarella of Italy at State House Nairobi, the president also noted that the government would work with the government of Italy to resolve burning issues that had affected the progress of the projects.

The Head of State further noted that the two governments had agreed to facilitate the withdrawal of cases contesting the legality of the procurement process that emerged in the initial stages of the projects.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella (right) and President William Ruto during the Italian President's State Visit on March 14, 2023. /WILLIAM RUTO

"The process of sorting the matters in court has already started in earnest," Ruto noted. 

"We have agreed to re-establish cooperation on the construction of Arror, Kimwarer and Itare dams and other water and sanitation projects which are critical to our agenda on food security, delivery of water and climate action."

In addition, measures would be put in place to renegotiate the restructuring of finances that were committed during former President Uhuru Kenyatta's term.

According to Ruto, the government was keen on ensuring that the Arror and Kimwarer projects resume in a "matter of months", treating them as "urgent and top priority" for the government's plans to alleviate the water shortage crisis in parts of the Rift Valley. 

"I am very proud to announce that the three dams which were subject to court cases and court matters, we have now agreed on a framework to settle all the outstanding court cases and court matters and agreed that the facilities that had been provided for the construction of these dams will be renegotiated so that we can provide for the delivery of the dams and the implementation of the projects," he added.

Former President Uhuru in September 2019 cancelled the Arror, Kimwarer and Itare dams project following an investigation that revealed that it was technically and financially unfeasible.

President Ruto added that the government of Kenya and three Italian firms have agreed to withdraw the court case on the cancellation of the May 2017 contract to construct two multi-purpose dams in Kerio Valley at a cost of Ksh66 billion.

Mattarela who is in the country for a four-day visit, further committed to providing over Ksh13 billion in loans and grants to aid Kenya in the implementation of various projects within the agriculture, health, creative economy, and digital superhighway projects.

During the 2022 presidential debate, President Ruto alleged that the corruption allegations surrounding the Arror and Kimwarer dam projects were schemes to incite his supporters against him, adding that there was no money lost in the tendering processes of the two dams as claimed.

He added that the Ksh7 billion paid for the projects was insured and the insurer should have returned the money in case of any loss.

Past construction of Arror and Kimwarer dams project. /FILE