Success Story : Mentored Travel Grant “Unearthing Corruption in Eldama Ravine”

Date Posted : Saturday, 30 Jun 2012

“Frabo Company Limited, which is constructing a Ksh 4.8 billion water dam moves with lightning speed for the ground breaking ceremony of the construction of classes for Chemususu Primary School in Baringo county,” Kiprotich Kimeto, a correspondent with Chamgei FM in Eldama Ravine, reported.
 
Kimeto’s story came only two days after Stanley Sugut, an Internews trained journalist, had aired a feature programme at the station revealing corrupt deals in the building of the Chemususu dam in Eldama Ravine. Sugut also exposed the building company’s failure to honor its promises on building classrooms as part of its corporate social responsibility activities to the area.
 
His story was also a follow up on corruption. He interviewed residents and engineers who spoke on substandard materials used to construct the dam – which is to be one of the largest dams in the country. Sugut’s feature was backed up with various documents, some of them signed by the Water Ministry. He also reengaged on promises made to the residents who surrendered their land for the dam to be built. His story was aired at a crucial time when the World Water Day was to be held. The local leaders championed his course.
 
Sugut was awarded a mentored travel grant to tell this story. He came up with three features that were aired every Saturday with a repeat on Sunday shortly after the lunchtime news. He received field based mentoring and script writing support by Senior Journalism Trainer Mary Kiio.