The Kiambu County Commissioner (CC), Wilson Wanyanga has assured the contractor working on Karimenu 11 dam of his safety and that of his equipment.
He told the contractor to immediately embark on his work without fear and instructed Gatundu North Deputy county commissioner (DCC), Baxton Mayabi to engage adequate security personnel to secure the contractor.
“Ensure you mobilize security personnel who will remain on site to enable the contractor embark on his work without wasting any more time,” the CC instructed.
Wanyanga gave the directive on Tuesday, when he toured the site of the construction and learnt that the contractor had been threatened by some goons when he started clearing the access road to the site.
The CC reiterated that all processes had been followed in the acquisition of the said 670 acres land and that all the affected families would be compensated as promised.
“Following the compensation of the initial batch of 93, it was a clear indication that the remaining would be paid and for this reason nobody will be allowed to obstruct the contractor,” he warned.
The Karimenu 11 site handover took place on April 2nd 2019 and thereafter the commencement order was issued to the contractor who was expected to immediately begin his work. The mega dam is worth approximately Sh. 236 billion.
The County Development Implementation Coordination Committee (CDICC) led by Wanyanga yesterday visited the site and were concerned that nothing had been done.
It was then that the contractor led the team to the site offices’ boardroom and informed them of the insecurity challenge.
The construction is expected to take 36 months and on completion, it will serve 850,000 families from Kiambu and Nairobi County.
The Gatundu North DCC assured the team that he would do as instructed and that by today morning the contractor will embark on his work.
Mayabi however, said that he too, just like the CDICC had just learnt of the security issue.
Later, the team proceeded to the site and while along the way and assured those yet to receive their payments that they would be paid soon.
“The government cannot backtrack on its promise about the payment, so do not interfere with the contractor,” Wanyanga assured various gatherings.
By Lydia Shiroya
