Sh24b Karemenu dam in limbo as locals eject contractor

Water CS Simon Chelugui (left) shares a light moment with Gatundu North MP Wanjiku Kibe and National Land Commission Chairman Mohammed Swazuri after a meeting at Kiriko Primary School. [Kamau Maichuhie/Standard]

The much-anticipated ground breaking ceremony for the construction of Sh24 billion Karemenu II dam in Gatundu North has been thwarted.

This is after angry residents ejected the contractor expected to undertake the work over unsettled compensation dues.

The affected residents drawn from Kiriko, Buchana, Gathanji and Kariminu villages, held a protest where they stormed the construction site and ejected the contractor and the workers, claiming that the Government duped them over compensation.

While carrying twigs and placards and chanting anti-Government slogans, the residents vowed not to leave their ancestral land until they are fully compensated.

They alleged that only a few people have received their compensation while accusing the Government of failing to honour an agreement they entered in February this year where a compromise was reached between the parties.

“We will not accept to be taken for a ride anymore,"said Nancy Njeri.