Construction of the Sh 24 billion Karimenu II Dam project has halted. This is after of Residents of Gatundu North in Kiambu County chased away construction workers claiming they were yet to be compensated for land surrendered to the Government.
The irate residents forced excavator operators to dig trenches at key points of entry and exit. The locals claim the Government was yet to compensate them for the surrendered parcels of land, collectively valued at Sh 2.2 billion. The land under dispute measures 383 acres.
The residents have appealed to the National Lands Commission and the Athi Water Services, which is tasked with overseeing the construction, to act on their behalf in compensation dialogue.
Karimenu II Dam project
“After we surrendered our parcels of land to the Government, some of which were already developed, we took loans to acquire new land and build new homes. We are now unable to offset the loans because the State is yet to compensate us,” said Gathanji, one of the affected residents.
Construction works at the Karimenu II Dam project began in 2019. When complete, the dam will serve the neighbourhoods of Thika, Juja, Ruiru and parts of Nairobi. The Sh24 billion project is being funded by the Government of Kenya and the China Exim Bank. The construction work is being supervised by the International Holding Corporation (AVIC) and Shanghai Municipal Engineering Design Institute.
The 59-meter dam project has been scheduled for completion in June 2022. The mega project has three main components, including a dam, a large water treatment plant and a 67-kilometre raw and treated water pipeline. Two terminal tanks will also be constructed in Ruiru and Juja.
