The multi-billion Arror and Kimwarer dams scandals have continued to haunt people thought to have participated, the latest one being Samuel Kona, the former chairman of the Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA) board.
The board gave the two dams the greenlight, and Kona is now on the verge of losing a plum state job.
He has since been nominated to the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
However, he was put to task during the vetting exercise before the National Cohesion and Equal Opportunity Committee on Thursday.
The members questioned his integrity, judging by his involvement in the approval, with many seeking his explanation as to why he should be approved.
“One of the issues coming from KVDA where you served is issuing of contract for Kimwarer and Arror dams. You were the director; the country has lost billions of shillings thanks to the contract that you signed as a board. What makes you feel you are fit for this job?” asked Embakasi South MP Julius Mawatheas quoted by the Star.
Kasipul MP Ongondo Were wondered if Kona can be trusted with a state job after he admitted to having been grilled by the DCI over the dams, where Sh68 billion was lost.
However, the former KVDA board chair defended himself, saying that no money was lost in the dams during his tenure.
“There was no money that was lost when I was chairman of KVDA. The board has no role in the issuance of contracts and as a matter of fact, I did not sign any contract. I am confident as a board we provided the necessary leadership," he said.
The contract for both dams was given to the Italian firm CMC Di Ravenna, which has since been declared bankrupt and unable to deliver.