In September 2019, President Uhuru Kenyatta terminated the construction of the Kimwarer dam in Elgeyo Marakwet county terming it as not viable.
At the time, his decision followed a recommendation by a technical committee.
Today, almost three years later when the topic came up in the presidential debate, United Democratic Alliance(UDA) party presidential aspirant William Ruto tried to downplay the facts around it claiming the cancellation was targeted at his supporters.
The Deputy President was asked by the moderator- Eric Latiff if the recent deaths at the Kerio valley are meant to punish him as he had initially claimed.
He responded in agreement adding that not only are the deaths but also the halt of Kimmwarer and Arror dams.
“Are you telling the people of Kerio valley that 150 of them have been buried this year alone just because a government is punishing the Deputy President?” the moderator asked.
Dr Ruto said: “Not just that, the Kimwarer and Arror dams were cancelled intentionally to punish my supporters.”
