Kenya’s minister for finance Henry Rotich surrendered himself to the Directorate of Criminal-DCI Investigations a few hours after the Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji approved his arrest Monday in connection with corruption claims.
Rotich is accused of flouting procurement procedures in awarding a contract worth over $450m (£405m) for the construction of two dams to the Italian company CMC de Ravenna.
In March, Mr. Rotich denied any wrongdoing and said he had nothing to do with the claim. The Italian company also denied the accusations.
Mr. Haji in a statement said he is investigating how the tender was awarded for $170m more than the original contract.
“It was established that the conception, procurement and payment process for the dam projects were riddled with massive illegalities,” he said.
The Director of Public Prosecutions has also ordered the arrest of more than 20 other people accused of being involved in the contract, including other top officials and the directors of CMC de Ravenna.
