Delay in reconstituting NLC deals blow to Sh 24 billion dam in Gatundu

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 where the CS announced the land compensation row that was threatening to derail the construction of Sh 24 billion Keremenu II dam in the area has been resolved. [Kamau Maichuhie/Standard]

The delay in constituting a new National Lands Commission (NLC) has slowed down the compensation of people affected by construction of a Sh24 Karemenu Dam in Gatundu North Constituency.

This has delayed construction of the of the multi-billion shilling dam whose construction is being funded through a joint venture between Government of Kenya and China Exim Bank.

Residents of Buchana, Gathanji, Kiriko and Kanyoni villages told Water Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui that they will not allow the project to commence before they are compensated.

Sensitise locals

Chelugui had led a high powered government delegation to the area on Wednesday.   

He was accompanied by the ministry’s Chief Administrative Secretary Winnie Guchu and acting NLC CEO Kabale Tache among others.

The government officials were attending a meeting at Kiriko Coffee Factory to sensitise locals before the project starts.

The adamant locals who expressed their anger over delay in finalising their agreement with the government said they will not allow excavation equipment on their land until the government settles all their dues.

“This is unacceptable, enough is enough. In February, we agreed with the government that construction work will not commence until everyone is fully compensated. We are shocked to see the State has gone ahead and brought a contractor and equipment on our land and yet we have not received our money,” said Nancy Njeri, a local.

A resident who declined to be named said failure by the State to pay has put them at a crossroads, and they have nowhere to bury the dead.

“The government wants us to move to pave way for construction of the dam yet it does not want to compensate us,” he said.

Residents are demanding full payment of the Sh2.2 billion which the government has agreed to spend on purchasing their land and compensation for damages.

Tache however told residents who will be affected by Phase Two of the project that the secretariat had no power to compensate them at the moment.

“The secretariat has no power to compensate you but that power rests with the commissioners. I can assure you that the payments will be made once new commissioners assume office,” said Tache.

Chelugui said the government has only allocated half of the compensation amount in the current financial year, adding that the rest would be sought in a supplementary budget. He pleaded with the locals to allow the project to start, saying 246 families in Phase One had been fully compensated.

The government has also acquired 171.6 acres of land to enable Phase Two of the project to start. More than Sh1.2 billion has since been paid.

An additional Sh185 million has been set aside to compensate the remaining persons whose payment is affected by succession matters, family disputes and parcels that require re-gazettement.

Chelugui assured locals that nobody will lose their land without due compensation from the government.

“Just like in Phase One, residents who will be affected by the dam’s construction will be paid without delay.

The government is steadfast and all interests will be taken care of,” he said.

Gatundu North MP Wanjiku Kibe said she will not rest until everyone earmarked for displacement by the project is paid for their land and property.

“Compensation for Phase Two of the dam will start as soon as the NLC completes valuation of the parcels of land,” she said.

Athi Water Works Development Agency’s Chairman John Chege said the project is set to employ over 150 people, majority of who will be sourced from the area and the larger Kiambu County.