Residents of Gitwamba Village, which borders the almost overflowing Karimenu Dam, maintained that they will not vacate their lands despite a vacate order from President William Ruto's Cabinet.
Speaking to the press, the residents revealed that they were awaiting compensation promised to them when the construction of the dam kicked off in 2019.
They argued that some of them had invested in their homes on the land and had nowhere to go despite the looming disaster.
"Dr Ruto should know that we are really suffering in this water. They should come and pay us our dues. When they tell us to vacate without compensation, where are we going and for how long? Even if you have a place to build, how will you finance," a resident identified as Karanja Kimani lamented to Citizen TV.
Last week, President William Ruto directed all people living in endangered zones to vacate within 48 hours promising to help the affected families.
The affected individuals were those living in fragile ecosystems including flooding, mudslides, and landslides as well as those living along riparian lands.
"It is important that ahead of time, we protect the lives of people and that is why we have concluded the mapping of all areas that are in danger so that we can assist citizens to move away in time because the forecast is such that rain will continue for the foreseeable future and there is a lot of precipitation in many places," the Head of State stated.
Gatundu North MP Elijah Njoroge Kururia, however, appealed to the President to follow through the compensation and ensure that the affected families near the dam, which is 10 meters away from their area of residence, vacate to safety.
"There is a disaster here at Karimenu dam which is overflowing with water and there are houses built 10 meters from the dam and the people lament they have nowhere to go, no roads, have not been paid and have no title deeds because the land has been taken by the government," Njoroge pleaded.
"I appeal to the government led by President William Ruto that when they deliver services, they should also remember the people of Karimenu Dam because they are in the water."
"Athi Water Services and the National Land Commission, the Ksh150 million we set aside for compensation of those close water should be expedited to allow them to move," he added.
Nationwide, a total of 229 people lost their lives in the ongoing flooding with over 58 coming from the Mai Mahiu tragedy.
