Senator Mutula Kilonzo Calls Out Govt for Giving Ksh1 Million to Victims of Solai dam tragedy

Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Wednesday called out the government for allegedly giving victims of Solai dam tragedy money to sabotage investigations.

"Your officers are paying people indemnity. Our concern is that the government has approved charges yet while Patel answers questions in Naivasha, it issues indemnity forms. It is surprising," Mutula told Interior Chief Administrative Secretary Patrick ole Ntutu.

Ole Ntutu told the Senate's ad-hoc committee he was not aware that Solai dam victims were being paid and assured the lawmakers that the ministry will establish whether its officers were involved.

The CAS, however, stated that this was not the first time the allegation was raised since the investigations began.

[caption caption="Senate ad-hoc committee investigating the Solai Dam tragedy Chairman Mutula Kilonzo Junior when he visited Patel Dam in Solai"][/caption]

"I do not know of the issue of the county commissioner giving out indemnity forms to affected people but we will investigate," CAS Ntutu stated.

Kilonzo Jr told him: "Your officials appear to be sabotaging the case by the government. If your county commissioner is issuing forms while the matter is in court, what will the government do when prosecuting the same person you have assisted?"

Ole Ntutu, who represented Interior Minister Dr Fred Matiang'i, declared that they will investigate reports that some local authorities had created a separate list of the victims.

"If there is any problem with the list I will investigate personally. We have the list of the victims if anybody was left out despite being genuine we will follow up," the Interior CAS told the Committee.

Senators accused local administrators of creating fake lists of victims of the May 9 tragedy, the chair alleging that local administrators provided several lists some with fabricated names.

[caption caption="Senate's ad-hoc committee members led by Chairman Mutula Jr with Senator Sakaja and Senator Kihika"][/caption]

The committee declared that the local administrators will be summoned to explain the different lists.

Members of the committee include Susan Kihika, Ephraim Maina, Malachi Ekai, Fatuma Dullo and Silvia Kasanga.

Senator Mutula Jr stated that they will not be intimidated despite receiving threats and being offered bribes by individuals and agencies.