Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana has urged the government to fast-track compensation of residents displaced to pave way for construction of Thwake Dam.

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Kibwana said it is high time the government pays the residents whose parcels of land had been forcibly acquired by the State for the public utility.

He said the more than 190 victims were still waiting for the funds yet the contractor was already on site.

Kibwana spoke at Kwa Kathoka in Makueni County on Friday.

"The government has not rolled out the compensation. The residents should be compensated before the project commences," Kibwana said.

He said there was ongoing politics in a bid to relocate the dam to another place.

Kibwana said there are plans to move a Chinese camp from the initial place to another place, something Makueni leaders won't accept.

Kibwana urged Devolution CS Eugine Wamalwa to talk with his Water counterpart to ensure the project is not relocated.

Wamalwa who had accompanied the governor to the function rubbished the project's relocation claims.

He said the government will ensure the project is successfully executed at the same location in Thwake.

"There are plans by the government to start buying food from Makueni. Water from the dam will be used to irrigate farms to ensure food security once the project is completed," Wamalwa said.

A section of Makueni leaders had earlier threatened to block the project's implementation until affected residents receive their compensations.