Deputy President William Ruto has responded to claims he launched the lower Nzoia Irrigation project before it was ready for commissioning.
This is after Water and Sanitation Principal Secretary Joseph Irungu on Tuesday claimed the DP launched the Sh5.3 billion project in exclusion to relevant authorities.
Appearing before the National Assembly Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Irungu said the National Irrigation Board, the National Lands Commission (NLC), and his ministry were not contacted before the launch.
“There was no contact between the DP’s office and my office. Even my project engineer was not there. Compensation is a very sensitive matter, which we must handle well," he said.
In a tweet hours later, the DP said the project is in progress, rubbishing the claims as political attacks.
The DP said he has followed the project since his time as Agriculture Cabinet Minister, adding that it will be of great benefit to the neighbouring communities.
"The launched lower Nzoia flood mitigation and irrigation project is now 15% in progress and is meant to eliminate destructive perennial flooding and increase acreage under irrigation. I have followed this project since 2008 as minister for agriculture. Stop raw politics and schemes. (Wacheni njama na siasa mbichi)," he said.