Kwale Governor, MP Clash over Sh2 billion funds for dam

Deputy President William Ruto and Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya during a meeting at Kingwede Girls Secondary in Kwale County. On 17th March 2018 [PICTURE REBECCA NDUKU/DPPS]

The governor has refuted an MP’s allegations on the construction of the multi-billion-shilling Mwache Dam in Kinango.

Mr. Salim Mvurya dismissed claims by Kinango legislator Benjamin Tayari that his deputy, Fatuma Achani, had played a role in diverting funds intended for the project.

On March 2, Mr. Tayari claimed that Ms. Achani had taken Sh2 billion from the Mwache Dam World Bank fund and diverted it to Msambweni and Matuga constituencies.

But Mr. Mvurya yesterday said the deputy governor was neither a member of the dam steering committee nor a signatory to the World Bank funds, which he claimed had not been released.

He revealed that the project was being implemented by the national government through the Water ministry and that the county government’s role was only to sensitise residents and ensure they were compensated.

Mvurya said the allegations against Achani were meant to "incite the residents", and that he "condemned the propaganda".