Mwache Dam compensation beneficiaries to get remaining Sh2bn by December

Irrigation PS Ephantus Kimotho laying the foundation stone for Mazeras health centre in Kwale county on Friday / BRIAN OTIENO

All persons affected by the Mwache Dam project in Kwale county will have been fully compensated by December.

Irrigation PS Ephantus Kimotho on Friday said out of the total compensation package of Sh4.6 billion, some Sh1.6 billion was paid out by the Uhuru administration.

Another Sh1.6 billion was released by the Kenya Kwanza administration, out of which Sh1 billion has already been paid out.

The remaining Sh600 million will be paid out starting this week. “We have come with NLC (National Land Commission). They will start giving out awards to those in Bofu from next week (this week),” Kimotho said.

The PS spoke in Mazeras, where he laid the foundation stone for the construction of a new health centre as part of the benefits of Mwache Dam project.

The remaining Sh1.4 billion will be paid out in the next fiscal year, which starts on July 1.

Kimotho called on anyone with succession disputes to try and solve them before the Sh1.4 billion is released to the National Land Commission.

“So that when we release the money, it does not get stuck there because of succession disputes. The aim of the government is to ensure all the monies get to the right people’s pockets,” the PS said.

He acknowledged challenges with the grievances mechanism for the last three months because the consultant has not been working.

“But now he has signed his contract and from next week (this week) he will be here so he can help solve the grievances,” Kimotho said.

“It is our expectation that by December, all the compensation monies will have been paid. We will no longer be talking about land compensation.”

Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani lauded President William Ruto's administration, saying it has been listening to the voices from the grassroots.

She said the Mwache Dam project would not have had the many other components that benefit residents had it not been for the insistence of President Ruto through PS Kimotho.

“In two years, we have had eight water pans constructed for us by the national government. It does not happen automatically. It takes a leader who listens to the grassroots,” Achani said.

She, however, acknowledged it was not without several challenges, including mistrust between Kwale leaders and those from the national government.

“I remember one time when you came to my office, we attacked you. Even I attacked you, PS. But because you had been sent by the President, you had to stay calm and listen to us,” Achani said.

She said the new health centre that is being constructed would not have been realised had Kimotho not stayed calm during the storm.

Kinango MP Gonzi Rai said the new health centre will ensure healthier residents.

The area will need the access road to the place to be tarmacked so as to help sick residents access the health centre faster.

“This road links Mazeras to Kinango. It is thus important that we have it tarmacked so that we do not get trouble ferrying patients to this new facility when it becomes operational,” the MP said.

Mwavumbo MCA Hamisi Mkaha said the compensation issues were the most pertinent to Kasemeni and Mwavumbo residents.

“But since your intervention, I have seen a steady flow of funds for compensation, and this will be a thing of the past soon.”

He, however, said the graves that had been desecrated were also one of the major concerns for the residents, who hold their traditions dear.

Mkaha said that already, some Sh34.5 million has been released for the families whose graves were interfered with as compensation.

INSTANT ANALYSIS

Mwache Dam’s construction started in March 2023 and is expected to be completed by August 2027. It will supply about 186,000 cubic metres of water daily to Kwale and Mombasa counties. Among other components that the dam has that will benefit Kwale county include Kwale Urban, which is now being expanded from supplying 1,000 cubic metres of water to 9,000 cubic metres, which will be completed in the next eight months.