Tolgos and Murkomen in renewed war over stalled dams

Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos (pictured) and Senator Kipchumba Murkomen are now pointing fingers at each other over the stalled Sh63 billion Arror and Kimwarer dams.

The wars are about who has the right to champion the interests of those affected by the twin projects.

Tolgos accuses Murkomen of using the county assembly to undermine his administration after the governor pointed out irregularities in the dams construction.

The dams scandal, which caused the arrest and suspension of Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich and his Principal Secretary Kamau Thugge as well as several officials of the Kerio Valley Development Authority, is now a matter before court.

“I am reliably aware that this senator is planning for my impeachment through the county assembly with a view to silencing me after I publicly mentioned to the people of Elgeyo Marakwet that the corruption proceeds of Arror and Kimwarer dams scandal was being used to cause friction in our county,” Tolgos said at the weekend.

Strong defender

The governor said Murkomen failed to safeguard the interests of residents who would have benefited from the dams.

“The senator has now turned into a strong defender of those who are suspected to have misused funds meant for our people,” Tolgos said.

But Murkomen asked the county chief to stop prosecuting the dams saga in public rallies and instead record a statement with the police if he knows those who stole the money.

“Mr Tolgos’ claims are an outward manifestation of his frustrations after a contractor he allegedly lobbied for in the Kimwarer and Arror projects submitted an unsuccessful bid,” he said.

“If the claims of canvassing on the part of the governor are true, then his cries could be a case of sour grapes.”

The legislator claimed that for the seven years Tolgos has been governor, he has failed to attract investors to the county, and instead has been working to deny the residents important projects.