President Uhuru Kenyatta orders for Sh1b compensation to Kerio Valley residents

President Uhuru Kenyatta

Thousands of Kerio Valley residents who donated land for the mining of fluorspar will finally be compensated.

The national government Sunday announced that plans for the payouts were at an advanced stage.

President Uhuru Kenyatta directed that those affected by fluorspar mining should be compensated in two weeks' time.

"I have directed Ministry of Mining officials led by Cabinet Secretary Dan Kazungu to visit the area next week and address the longstanding issue," said Uhuru at a campaign rally at Chepkorio in Keiyo South constituency.

The Government is expected to spend at least Sh1 billion to pay more than 20,000 people.

"The affected families will receive their dues in about two weeks' time, after the ministry compiles the list of beneficiaries. The compiling must be expedited because the Jubilee administration is committed to the welfare of all Kenyans," he said.

The President said unlike the Opposition, his administration was focused on serving wananchi rather than taking care of personal interests.

In February, the residents issued a 60-day notice to the Government to implement a report on injustices perpetrated by the Kenya Fluorspar Mining Company.

They accused the Government of being insensitive to their plight.