The Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Mohamed had ordered for investigations into the the Nakuru’s Patel killer dam that claimed the lives of more than 40 people.
The DPP has directed Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet to commence probe on the circumstances leading to the tragedy and hand over a report on the findings within two weeks.
“DPP has directed the IG Joseph Boinnet to carry out thorough investigations to establish cause and culpability if any of Patel Dam disaster and forward resultant investigation file to him in 14 days,” DPP Noordin Mohamed Haji said in a tweet.
This comes as reports suggest that the owner of the reservoir, which burst its banks on Wednesday night, killing several people and washing away the entire Solai village, may have ignored safety standard requirements.
So far, about 40 people remain unaccounted for even as government and humanitarian agencies continue with the search and rescue operations. Over 5,000 people have also been displaced.
On Thursday, officials of the Water Resources Management Authority (Warma)
said the dam is one of seven illegal water reservoirs in Patel Coffee Estates Ltd.
Rift Valley regional manager Simon Wang’ombe said Warma officials had toured the farm severally and had asked the owner to repair one of the dams.
“We had been pushing him to repair that one but this other one we didn’t anticipate,” said Mr Wang’ombe.
“For the last one year, we have been trying to engage the company on how to legalise the dams but they have been reluctant. As far as we are concerned, the dams are illegal,” said Wang’ombe.
Patels have more power than…
Patels have more power than the Kenyan government not because they are that powerful but corruption. How stupid is it for the officials of WARMA to say they have been pushing for repairs and the Patels have refused? Really? Those officials need not be working at WARMA. Secondly,let the Patel Company bare the costs and penalties for this accident