Battle Over Ndakaini Dam: Sonko Vs. Wa Iria

The wrangle over Ndakaini Dam continues as Nairobi County Governor, Mike Sonko warns Murang’a County Governor Mwangi wa Iria against interfering with the county’s water supply from Ndakaini dam.

“Murang’a people have no right to discuss about the water. We bought the land. We have the tittle deeds and most of the people who consume the water come from Murang’a; they should respect us.” Sonko was speaking at the Nairobi International Trade Fair where he said that eighty four percent of the water in Ndakaini dam is owned by Nairobi county.

On the other hand, Murang’a governor Mwangi Wa Iria claimed that twenty five percent of the revenue from the water channeled to Nairobi from Ndakaini must be given to Murang’a county. Wa Iria threatened to cut the water supply to Nairobi county if the Nairobi County government does not cooperate.

In response to Wa Iria’s threat of cutting water supply to the city, Governor Sonko also threatened to ‘act’ on buildings belonging to Wa Iria that are said to have been built on road reserves. “Wa Iria should not joke with us. I will deal with him if he touched Ndakaini Dam.” said Governor Sonko.

The battle between the two governors intensified as Wa Iria blamed Sonko for failing to rehabilitate the Nairobi river which he argues would have been the main source if water for Nairobi county. Responding to the threats by Governor Sonko to to demolish his buildings, the Murang’a county governor dared Sonko to go ahead and do so.

“It is ridiculous for the Nairobi governor to assume that I can be cowed from speaking for the rights of Mt Kenya residents by threats that I have a building in Nairobi which he claims he can demolish. He should have done it yesterday.” said Wa Iria.

Meanwhile, Cabinet Secretary for Water and Irrigation, Mr. Simon Chelugui called out Governor Mwangi Wa Iria for saying that the Nairobi County government ought to be taxed for utilizing water from the dam. Mr. Chelugui said that the governor has no mandate to call for a twenty five percent share of revenue collected from water supplied to Nairobi.

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *