PS Monica Juma questioned over partial Thwake Dam compensation

Foreign Affairs PS Monica Juma Photo:Courtesy

The Government was accused of failing to compensate some of those who gave up their land for construction of the multi-billion-shilling Thwake Dam.

Foreign Affairs PS Monica Juma and her Water counterpart Zainab Hussein were put to task by residents of Makueni County, where the dam is being constructed, to explain why they had not been compensated.

They said the Government had compensated a few people, some partially, and that the majority were still waiting for their money.

Representatives of the affected families accused the Government deliberately denying them their compensation.

Raphael Kioko, from Mbooni, wondered why compensation had been delayed. "We have really been inconvenienced. We want our money as soon as possible so we can resettle," he said.

Former Kilome MP Regina Ndambuki, who had accompanied the PSs, tried to calm residents but without much success.

Ms Hussein said a majority had been compensated.

“We have already paid out Sh2.2 billion to 1,443 people and the remaining 198 will receive their money soon,” she said.