On Tuesday, June 20 2023, the Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries summoned Water Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome and Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o to provide further details on a corruption case involving Ksh53.4 million.
The Senators expressed frustration over their failure to appear before the committee despite multiple requests, leaving stakeholders without an explanation regarding the alleged misappropriation of funds at the West Kano Irrigation Scheme in Kisumu County.
The committee’s vice chairperson, Embu Senator Alexander Munyi Mundigi, criticized Wahome and Nyong’o for not communicating their absence.
EACC investigation
The committee’s statement indicated that the two officials were summoned to respond to a petition concerning the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission’s (EACC) investigation into graft at the West Kano Irrigation Scheme.
The Senate launched an investigation into the matter in February 2023 based on a petitioner’s claims of funds mismanagement within the scheme between 2007 and 2021. The petitioner highlighted the adverse impact of the EACC’s handling of the case on farmers and project beneficiaries.
The EACC stated that individuals found guilty would face charges of abuse of office and mismanagement of funds.
While taking charge of EACC, the newly appointed chair, Bishop David Oginde cited corruption as Kenya’s worst enemy. The former CITAM ministries presiding Bishop vowed to stamp out the vice in his address shortly after assuming chairmanship of the anti-graft body.
With the many unresolved corruption cases involving politicians and people in power, Kenyans can only watch from the sidelines and hope that this time, things will be different.
West Kano Irrigation Scheme
According to the National Irrigation Authority, the West Kano Irrigation Scheme was constructed in the year 1974 and became operational in 1976.
It is located in the Kano plains between the Nandi escarpment and Nyabondo plateau on the shores of Lake Victoria in Kisumu County. The scheme has 837 farmers with a gross area of 4396 acres.
The scheme irrigation water is abstracted by pumping from Lake Victoria, and water drainage is also by pumping water back to the Lake.
The major crops grown on the scheme are rice, soya beans, maize, watermelon, vegetables, and tomatoes. The scheme has a population dependent of about 30,000 people.
