Najib Balala, Other Corruption Cases That Made Headlines In Kenya In 2023

• Two major dam projects in East Africa have cost the Kenyan government millions of shillings despite having never been built, it has been revealed
• The insurance bill was for the Arror and Kimwarer dams, which were planned to bring power and water to half a million people
• An Italian construction firm was commissioned, trees were earmarked for removal, and around 800 people were told they would be moved

Dennis Lubanga, a Kenyan journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than 10 years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

Kenya might have come out of the 2008 financial crisis in fine shape.

However, today, the East African nation is mired in 'shocking corruption and debt dependency’.

The tale of two ill-fated infrastructure projects explains why

Two major dam projects in East Africa have cost the Kenyan government millions of shillings despite having never been built, it has been revealed.

The insurance bill was for the Arror and Kimwarer dams, which were planned to bring power and water to half a million people.

An Italian construction firm was commissioned. Trees were earmarked for removal, and around 800 people were told they would be moved out of the flooded area.

Six years later, the proposed dams are emblematic of Kenya’s slide into debt, with only limited benefits from new infrastructure.

Against this backdrop, TUKO.co.ke looks at the notable corruption cases that hit the headlines in 2023.

1. Henry Rotich Acquitted in KSh 63b Arrow and Kimwarer Dams Scandal

In December 2023, an anti-corruption court cleared former Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich in the KSh 63 billion Arror and Kimwarer dams corruption case.

On Thursday, December 14, trial Magistrate Eunice Nyutu acquitted Rotich and eight others over a lack of evidence.

In her ruling, the magistrate criticised the prosecution over how they handled the case.

"All the accused persons in this case are hereby acquitted under section 210 due to lack of evidence as a result of the reckless dereliction of duty by the prosecution," Nyutu said.

2. Najib Balala Arrested by EACC Officers over KSh 8.5b Scandal

As the year went to the wire, detectives attached to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) arrested former Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala.

According to the anti-graft agency, Balala is expected to face 10 charges relating to the construction of the KSh 18.5 billion Utalii College, Kilifi campus.

"After the completion of investigations into these allegations, the commission forwarded the file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, who concurred with the recommendations from the commission to charge the former Ministry of Tourism officials," EACC said.

A senior official from EACC told journalists outside the Integrity Centre in Nairobi that on Thursday, December 21, detectives arrested three out of the 16 suspects who are supposed to be charged in the case.

3. DPP Orders Arrest, Prosecution of Jackson Mandago

Also this year, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) received the go-ahead from the ODPP to charge Uasin Gishu senator Jackson Mandago.

During a public lecture from former head of public service Ambassador Francis Muthaura, EACC Chief Executive Officer Twalib Mbarak said the commission had recommended the prosecution of Kenyans suspected of having been involved in graft.

Mbarak stated that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions had approved the inquiry file forwarded by the EACC to Mandago and three other senior officials of the county for prosecution.

Mandago will be charged with conspiracy to commit an offence of economic crime, abuse of office, breach of trust, fraudulent acquisition of public property, and uttering false documents contrary to Section 353 of the penal code, among others.

4. Uasin Gishu Parents Overjoyed as Kids Travel to Finland

This year, a group of parents from Uasin Gishu County bid farewell to their children as they embarked on a journey to Finland.

This opportunity comes courtesy of a controversial scholarship programme initiated by former Uasin Gishu governor Jackson Mandago.

As the students set off on the adventure, parents extended their heartfelt thanks to the current county government led by Governor Jonathan Bii and Deputy Governor John Barorot for their unwavering support in making this dream a reality.

Speaking to the press, parents appreciated the county government's instrumental role in facilitating this opportunity.