Nairobi, Kenya – August 29, 2025 — The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has recommended the prosecution of dozens of high-ranking government officials, business executives, and private contractors implicated in a wide-ranging corruption scandal involving the Sh63 billion Itare, Karimenu II, and Thwake Dam projects.
The announcement was made in a press statement dated July 19, 2025, following investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC). The ODPP confirmed that sufficient evidence had been gathered to sustain multiple criminal charges.
According to the ODPP, investigations revealed a well-orchestrated scheme involving inflated contracts, fraudulent payments, abuse of office, conflict of interest, and misappropriation of public funds.
The projects, intended to provide water to millions of Kenyans across Nakuru, Murang’a, and Kitui counties, were crippled by corruption, leading to massive financial losses and stalled implementation.
Those recommended for prosecution include:
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Senior government officials in the Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation.
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County officials from Nakuru, Murang’a, and Kitui.
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Directors of private firms, both local and foreign, who won tenders through fraudulent means.
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Consultants and contractors involved in project management and financing.
Among those specifically named in the ODPP’s statement are current and former Permanent Secretaries, County Governors, procurement officers, directors of Italian and German companies, and Kenyan business executives linked to the projects.
The alleged corruption occurred between 2015 and 2022, during the planning, tendering, and implementation of the three flagship water projects.
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Itare Dam (Nakuru County): Abandoned after billions were disbursed.
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Karimenu II Dam (Murang’a County): Faced major cost escalations and procurement irregularities.
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Thwake Dam (Kitui/Makueni Counties): Dogged by irregular tendering and stalled completion timelines.
Investigations were conducted jointly by the EACC and forensic experts, before being forwarded to the ODPP in July 2025.
The ODPP has directed that suspects face charges including:
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Conspiracy to commit corruption and economic crimes
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Abuse of office
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Willful failure to comply with procurement laws
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Engaging in projects without proper approvals
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Acquisition of proceeds of crime under the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act
The charges are expected to be filed in the Anti-Corruption Court in Nairobi, with high-profile arraignments anticipated in the coming weeks.
The scandal underscores Kenya’s continuing battle with mega corruption scandals that drain public resources and cripple essential infrastructure projects. The dams, once billed as game-changers in water supply and food security, have instead become symbols of mismanagement and impunity.
If prosecutions proceed, this case could rank among the largest anti-corruption trials in Kenya’s history, rivaling the Anglo Leasing and Arror/Kimwarer dam scandals.
The ODPP has officially written to the EACC to proceed with arrests and arraignment of the suspects. Kenyans will now be watching closely to see if the matter leads to actual convictions or whether it will join the long list of stalled high-profile corruption cases.
