The government has released Sh900 million for the compensation of people who will be displaced by the construction of Arror and Kimwarer dams in Elgeyo Marakwet County.
Kerio Valley Development Authority managing director David Kimosop said the organization had already received Sh643 million which was in their accounts while they were awaiting a further Sh250 million to be released any time this week.
Kimosop said the funds will be paid out to people living in the critical areas where the dams, the camp site and industrial area will be built because they will be the first to move immediately National Land Commission is through with the ongoing valuation and verification exercise.
MD was speaking during the inaugural County Development Implementation Committee meeting chaired by the County Commissioner Dr. Ahmed Omar at the Keiyo North CDF hall.
Kimosop said KVDA would ensure that the compensation is done in the proper manner so that in future people can have faith in ceding their land to the government for any development project.
“We have had cases in the past where people were not compensated for instance those who were displaced to create room for the establishment of the Marakwet West sub county headquarters, which led to the many challenges we have faced in the acquisition of land for the two dams,” he said.
The MD said the Authority was in the final stages of procuring a consultancy firm which will ensure that the dams are constructed as per the specifications, adding that they will provide funds for the construction of the Kessup bridge along Biretwo -Arror road which was swept away during the long rains in 2018.
“We will closely work with Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) to see that the bridge is constructed to enable us move the machines to the site,” he said.
Addressing the same meeting, the county director meteorology Simon Cheptot said while the county will receive normal rains in the oncoming long rains season, the Keiyo South and Marakwet East highlands will receive above normal rains.
“This therefore calls for the leadership to take extra measures to prevent landslides in the two regions before the rains start,” he said.
The county commissioner instructed the deputy county commissioners to work closely with the forest department to provide surveillance to prevent forest fires which have destroyed vegetation on the escarpment thus increasing the risks of a landslide.
The meeting also expressed concern that the Yokot dam along Kessup River which broke its banks during the long rains in 2018 was yet to be repaired.
By Alice Wanjiru
Sunday, December 22, 2024
Information For Development
