Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki has turned down the government's move to construct the Ksh200 billion High Grand Falls dam.
Speaking in Kitui county during a thanksgiving ceremony, the Njuki accused the government of concealing crucial details of how the dam would be built.
Governor Njuki also condemned the government's failure to adequately engage in public participation, asserting that the concerns raised during such processes have been disregarded.
Furthermore, he insisted that the government must devise a comprehensive scheme for compensating individuals affected by the construction of the dam.
The governor noted that hundreds of Tharaka Nithi residents would be displaced by the construction of the dam.
Muthomi Njuki’s move was backed by Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua who demanded compensation commensurate with the value of the land at the current land prices.
Senator Wambua said there was a probability that there were minerals along the shores of the great river Tana noting any attempts to take the land would vehemently be opposed.
Similarly, Mwingi North Member of Parliament Paul Nzengu demanded inclusion of all political players from the two counties that would be affected.
Last year, the government signed a deal with a UK firm for the construction of the High Grand Falls Dams in Kitui and Tharaka Nithi counties.
The agreement that was signed between the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) and British constructor-GBM Consortium Limited.
While underscoring the project, the government noted the dam would provide water to irrigate 400,000 acres of land and generate up to 1,000 megawatts of hydropower.
The ground mapping and geological drilling and other analysis to determine the actual scope of works for the dam was to concluded within six months of signing the deal.
