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A fresh row is threatening completion and implementation of Sh24 billion Karimenu II dam in Gatundu North, Kiambu County after persons affected by the project threatened to drain the waterbody over delayed compensation by the government.

Hundreds of residents from Kiriko, Gathanji, Gituamba and Iruri villages claim that the dam has been the cause of their misery since its establishment on their land.

While some were unsuccessfully paid in phase two of the project, other locals who were not on the original list of affected persons were later requested to offer their land to accommodate the dam’s buffer zone.

Valuation for the properties was done in February this year when they were promised instant payment to facilitate their relocation but months down the line, the troubled residents are yet to receive a penny from the government.

As they impatiently wait for their compensation, water from the huge dam has begun to enter their homes, having already submerged their plantations including maize, bananas, napier grass among other crops.

Locals told journalists that the project they initially thought would positively turn around water scarcity in the country is now a deathbed and continues to impoverish them as they have no land to cultivate, a challenge that has made them food beggars.

Already, some homes are no longer habitable after they developed huge cracks that residents blame on the close proximity to the dam while most lavatories in the villages are filled with water from the project.

This, the residents described as a tragedy in the offing insisting that unless prompt interventions are made to have them relocated, the project could end up swallowing their homes.

“The government came and requested that we give them our land to finish the Karimenu Dam project which we graciously did out of love for our country. It has, however, failed to honour its compensation promises. We are now living very poor lives as we cannot farm, develop the land and most worsening is that the dam is now a deathtrap for us as the water is so close to our homes. While many have drowned at the project, we, the people around it, are at more risk as it has already consumed our land which we used to cultivate, our latrines are now water-filled and the next thing could be our death,” Chege Karomo, a resident said.

“Most of our homes have huge cracks because of the dam water. The land we used to cultivate has started experiencing tragic landslides and as the crisis continues to put us in more danger, the government is silent. If nothing is done, all of us might end up dying inside the dam,” John Mwangi, another resident said.

The furious locals decried that despite raising concerns about the looming tragedy with the relevant authorities including the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and Athi Water Works Development Authority (AWWDA), no help has come forthwith.

“We have been knocking on all government doors seeking to have our plight addressed but no one seems to care. This crisis in this project is a ticking bomb that could be worse than Shakahola. It will be devastating if it remains unaddressed,” Mwangi added.

Living at the dam could be more catastrophic, especially., for locals with school-going children and who are on a study break as they are prone to perishing in the unfenced project.

Catherine Wangari, a resident, said that most parents are now compelled to remain watchful of their children who play near the project.

“We are troubled as residents and in fact, we are now forced to live watching the steps of our children who can drown at the dam at any time. What other crisis is the government seeking to solve in this country if not what we have here,” Wangari wondered.

The locals gave the government, through the Ministry of Water, Athi Water Works Development Agency (AWWDA) and the National Lands Commission (NLC) a seven-day ultimatum to either compensate them or drain water from the villages so that they can resume living normally.

Paul Mwangi, the secretary of the project’s affected persons committee said that they will move to court on the lapse of the ultimatum to seek orders compelling the government to drain water from the project or compensate the affected locals to facilitate their relocation from the now dangerous project.

“Our people are going through untold suffering, colds and pneumonia have become the order of the day in the villages. Locals cannot cultivate their farms and their tea farms have been submerged causing huge losses. In seven days, we will be moving to court seeking to have the government compelled to drain the dam water downwards or immediately compensate the residents before the dam causes a calamity,” Mwangi said.