A section of affected families of the Solai dam tragedy has claimed 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 said they were forced to sign the forms as Patel Farm owner’s lawyer and administrators watched.
According to the vouchers, those whose houses were destroyed will be compensated with Sh1 million each and those who lost their loved ones will receive Sh100, 000.
Isaac Muna Mwaniki, who los t his wife, said they were coerced to sign the forms.
“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,” Muna said.
Similar sentiments were 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 Sh100, 000 for losing his children in the tragedy yet some other victims whose houses and businesses were lost were getting Sh1 million each.
“I did not expect to be given Sh100, 000 for losing my family members yet those whose houses were destroyed are being given Sh1 million each,” said Kamau.
Stephen Mwangi Kariuki, a farmer in Solai, said his life has never been the 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.
“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," he said.
Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika said justice should be delivered to affected families.