Patel Mansukul, the owner of Solai Dam that burst its walls on Wednesday night, is said to be a reserved man who chose to remain scarce despite his vast estate.
Mr Patel, estimated to be between 50 and 60 years old, owns a 2,000-acre farm in Solai area and has employed thousands of workers who tend to his cut flowers farm.
The restricted-access farm is behind the well-known Solai Roses brand and hosts five mega dams and two smaller ones within the same estate.
"It is impossible to enter the farm without prior arrangements," a former civil leader who resides at Nyakinyua village told The Standard.
[caption caption="Rescue teams at the Solai Dam site following the tragic collapse of its walls on May 9, 2018"]
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The Patel family has been involved in a variety of community projects over the years including building a classroom at the Solai Secondary School and purchasing equipment for a maternity clinic in the area.
The family has, however, denied locals access to the seven dams maintaining them as private property.
Veteran politician Koigi Wamwere, who represented the area in parliament when it was Nakuru North constituency, contended against the Solai owners over sharing of the dam's waters with the locals.
"I once met one of the Patels long time ago when I was representing the area in parliament and they were very reclusive people besides doing a few community social responsibility projects in the area," he told reporters.
According to Wamwere, the locals had allegedly raised concerns over leaks and cracks on the dam before the Wednesday night tragedy.
"I am told some residents reported the issue to the management and also tried to prevail upon them to repair the dam. If this is true then serious investigations should be done and the culprit take responsibility," he conveyed.
[caption caption="Veteran politician Koigi Wamwere"]
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Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i is among the top government officials who reported to the scene as rescue teams conducted search operations.
Regional Coordinator for Rift Valley Mongo Chimwaga was yet to announce whether the government would be taking action against the dam owners.
