A water project funded by African Development Fund in conjunction with the Nyamira County government in the border town of Keroka is on the verge of collapsing after residents encroaching on the reserved land refused to pave way for engineers laying pipes.
Lake Victoria Basin executive secretary Dr Canisuis Kanangire on Wednesday confirmed that residents had refused to pave way for laying of pipes calling for compensation from the county government.
He said his team had to vacate the region till a consensus is arrived at by the county leadership to combat a possible animosity with the local residents.
“Our workers were kept away by residents claiming ownership of the reserved land who were demanding compensation. We have spoken with the county government so that they solve the matter expeditious to allow the project to proceed smoothly,” he said.
However, Governor John Nyagarama ruled out any compensation and warned of stern actions against any resident who was out to impede the project.
“We are not going to tolerate people who are out to impede projects. Water is essential and this project won’t collapse because some people who are occupying a road reverse illegally wants compensation. That will not happen but the project has to proceed as planned,” he said.
The project was earmarked to end by December last year but the donor extended the same by a year to December 2016.