Busia County Governor Paul Otuoma is under intense scrutiny following allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the construction of the Sh24.8 million Changara Water Pan project.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has confirmed that investigations into the project are nearing completion, with major irregularities identified.
The Changara Water Pan, funded by the World Bank, was intended to provide water to over 5,000 residents in Busia County. However, the project has faced significant delays, with completion initially scheduled for February 2020 but now extending beyond three years.
According to EACC Director of Investigations Pascal Mweu, the commission is finalizing its probe and expects to forward the file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) within two weeks. Preliminary findings indicate that county officials failed to comply with procurement laws, engaged in fraudulent payments, and unlawfully acquired property.
Notably, the tender for the dam’s construction was opened, evaluated, and a contract signed on the same day—violating Section 135 of the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, which mandates a 14-day waiting period before contract signing.
Additionally, the county employed a request for quotation method for a project exceeding the KSh 2 million threshold, breaching legal procurement limits.
Despite Sh17.74 million already being paid to the contractor, the project has faced significant delays and quality concerns.
During a session with the Senate committee, Governor Paul Otuoma found himself under fire after senators disputed his claims about the completion of the project.
Senator Murango, who had recently visited the site, stated, “I was there and I can say the project is not complete.”
Further discrepancies arose when the governor claimed that two irrigation systems had been installed, but the committee noted that the pipes were vandalized. Senators questioned how these systems could function in such a condition.
“If the pipes are vandalized, how is the water reaching the farmers? It’s not possible,” Senator Murango remarked.
Governor Otuoma also mentioned the construction of a door toilet on-site, but senators refuted this claim, stating that no such toilet was found.
Senator Joe Nyutu added, “There were no toilets in that compound.” In response, a representative for Senator Okiya Omtatah clarified that the alleged toilet was located on a different piece of land.
In light of these ongoing discrepancies, the Senate committee has directed the EACC, the county, and the senator’s office to visit the site for further verification.
Additionally, the committee has instructed the governor to provide all relevant documentation, including the tender documents, contract, payment vouchers, and a completion certificate issued by the contractor.
