NEW REVELATIONS: Solai dam victims were forced to sign compensation forms

A section of affected families of the Solai dam tragedy have revealed that they were forced to sign the discharge and indemnity voucher forms without going through to know the particulars.

Addressing media in Solai on Thursday, the affected families claimed there were cartels out to benefit from the compensation form the Patel Dam owner.

They say they were forced to sign the forms on the watch of Patel Farm owner’s lawyer and administrators.

They said it was not logic for those whose houses were destroyed to be compensated with 1 million shillings each yet those who lost their loved ones are being given sh.100, 000.

Isaac Muna Mwaniki who los t his wife says the compensation was reached at without consultations from the affected families.

“The compensation is not okay with us as there were no consultations and we are sensing some kind of unfairness on the same. We were forced to sign the compensation forms and we feel there are some people who want to benefit on the same yet they were not affected by the tragedy” said Mr.Muna.

Similar sentiments echoed by Josiah Kamau who said besides being forced to fill the compensation forms, it emerged that the forms had numerous errors and they were rejected by the bank.

He said he did not expect to receive sh.100, 000 for losing his children in the tragedy yet some other victims whose houses and businesses were lost were getting 1 million each.

“I did not expect to be given sh.100, 000 for losing my family members yet those whose houses were destroyed are being given 1 million each” said Kamau.

Stephen Mwangi Kariuki-a farmer in Solai says his life has never been same again since the tragedy.He is calling on the government to ensure talks with the families affected by the tragedy so that they can reach a solution and their lives back to normalcy.

“We feel there is foul play in the compensation issue and we want the government to have talks with us (the real victims) as far as compensation is concerned.

This even as Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika in whose county the tragedy occurred vowed to ensure justice is delivered to affected families.

 

PHOTO/Nation: Patel Coffee Estates Limited MD Perry Mansukh Kansagara (right) and Estate General Manager Vinoj jayakumar inside a Naivasha courtroom on July 5, 2018.