Kariminu II Dam project has turned us into beggars, family cry out

Compensation setbacks facing the multibillion-shilling Kariminu II Dam in Gatundu North are far from over.

Residents of Kiriko, Gathanji, Buchana and Kariminu villages whose land was used for the Sh24 billion project are up in arms against the government's delay to pay its due.

They have held demonstrations demanding full compensation, thus derailing construction works and leaving completion plans in jeopardy.

In April, Phase II Project Affected Persons promised to halt operations over payouts. They demand Sh2.2 billion for their land, as well as structures and crops on their parcels. The government is to acquire some 383 acres for the second phase.

The residents have accused the government of short-changing them by allowing the contractor to invade their land and start excavation even before settling the compensation impasse.

On Saturday, a family from Kariua village became the latest to pursue their land compensation money.

Mugo Njoroge’s 37-member family stormed the project’s treatment plant site in the village and brought down a fence in protest against the delay.

The family was evicted from their ancestral land three years ago to pave the way for dam construction. They demand Sh5.4 million for their one-and-a-half acres.

Led by Esther Njeri, a mother of 24, they claimed the government, through the National Land Commission, only paid them Sh200,000 to facilitate their relocation.

“The government failed to honour its promise of clearing our dues in a timely manner and it has subjected us to untold suffering. We were forced to rent houses within Gatundu and raising money to pay rent has become a mammoth task. We have been turned into beggars,” Njeri said.

She said her countless visits to the NLC offices have not borne fruit, accusing officials of taking her in circles.

"They usually tell me that money has yet to be released whenever I visit the offices. I’m tired of this exploitation. I just want my money so that I can get a decent place for my family,” Njeri said amid sobs.

She called on President Uhuru Kenyatta to intervene and ensure everyone yet to be compensated receives their cash and moves on with life.

“We only want what is rightfully ours. And that is justice,” she said.

Efforts by officers from the Kamwangi police station to restrain the family members from damaging the fence proved futile, but after an hour of tussling, the family members were subdued and some of them arrested.

NLC, which is executing the compensation process, and Athi Water Services Board—the implementing agency whose officials were on-site, declined to comment on the matter.

Last September, Water Principal Secretary Joseph Wairagu, while inspecting the project and overseeing diversion of River Kariminu into the 408-metre-long diversion tunnel, said the government had initiated compensation for Phase II PAPs.

Wairagu said that the NLC had started land acquisition for phase two, noting that the commission was working on the legal procedures and establishing compensation rates. He noted that the valuation process had been completed.

“Requisition for the phase II compensation funds has been done and the ministry is ready to release the money once the NLC completes with legal requirements for the same. Resources for completion of this project are intact,” Wairagu said.

The project is being funded by the government and the China Exim Bank and implemented through a joint venture between International Holding Corporation and Shanghai Municipal Engineering Design Institute.

Upon completion, the dam will be 59 metres high, with a 26.5 billion-litre volume and produce 70 million litres of water a day.

Residents of Kiambu will be the major beneficiaries as 80 per cent of the water will go to Thika, Juja and Ruiru, with the remaining 20 per cent being pumped to Nairobi.