Nyamira houses razed over contentious dam construction

Police in Nyamira have launched a manhunt for people who burned down two houses in the middle of a tussle surrounding the construction of Bonyunyu dam.

The proposed construction of the dam has caused controversy in the area with some area residents reportedly saying they were not consulted in the project that according to them “is being imposed on them and will see them lose their ancestral land.”

According to area security authorities, the two houses in Masaba North are said to belong to area residents who support the construction of the dam.

Nyamira County Commissioner Isaiah Nakoru confirmed the incident as he warned area residents against being incited by what he termed as cheap propaganda.

“Those who have committed this act will be arrested and charged. We want to call on everyone not to believe lies that the construction of this dam will lead to loss of their land. This is simply not true,” he said.

Nakoru also urged residents to cooperate with officials in charge of the construction of the dam.

“We are hearing that officials from the Lake Victoria South Water Services were chased away when they had come to inspect the area for the construction. This is not right, as the construction of the dam will benefit the area,” he said.