National Lands Commission (NLC) Chairman Mohammed Swazuri has been put on spot over delayed compensations to 246 families affected by the construction of Sh24 billion Karimenu II Dam project at Kiriko in Gatundu North Sub-County.
The residents who held protests on Wednesday to block the contractor from accessing their farms accused Swazuri of failing on his promise even after assuring them earlier that all of them will be compensated by February, 2019.
They have now vowed not allow the contractor to commence the construction works before they are fully compensated noting that it is only 40 families that have been compensated.
"We have fear that once we allow the contractor to start digging tunnels on our farms before we are compensated, it will be very hard for us to ever get our compensation. First things first, let them give us our money and we will pave way for the construction works to begin," one protester said.
Another one said: "We will not allow him into our shambas before we get our money. Otherwise, we will end up running up and down seeking for compensation that might never happen."
There was high tension in the area as riot police were deployed to contain any possible violence as the standoff entered the fourth day in a row.
Swazuri had told residents during a visit to the area that Sh1.2 billion had been set aside to compensate all the 246 households affected by the project.