‘Kins of Solai dam tragedy victims sign c*mpensation deal’ – KHRC
Kins of 47 Solai dam victims have signed a compensation deal with the dam owners.
In a statement, the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) said the families had agreed to a Ksh1.2 million compensation for adults' families and Ksh800,000 for minors.
"Kins of 47 Solai dam tragedy victims agree and sign a compensation deal— Ksh1.2 million for adults' families and Ksh800,000 for minors. KHRC represents 29 victims in this agreement, connected to a manslaughter case against nine people, a dam owner and his workers," KHRC stated.
On May 9, 2018, at least 47 people lost their lives and at least 200 families were displaced after a dam owned by Perry Mansukh broke its banks.
Manusukh and eight others were charged with 48 counts of manslaughter and failing to prepare an environmental impact assessment report.
The other eight are Vinoj Jaya Kumar, Johnson Njuguna, Luka Kipyegen, Winnie Muthoni, Jacinta Were, Tomkin Odo Odhiambo, Williec Omondi and Lynette Cheruiyot.
Solai Dam case collapses
In February 2020, the case against the nine collapsed after the court cited non-commitment from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions which was leading the prosecution.
In February 2020, the High Court suspended the ruling that acquitted the nine suspects charged with causing the death of 48 people following the Solai dam tragedy.
In April 2023, the court ruled that the nine suspects had a case to answer.
In October 2023, the kins of the victims applied to have an out-of-court settlement, leading to a temporary halt of the case.
“The victims have held meetings with the accused persons seeking an out-of-court settlement and they are seeking more time to finalise the issue,” State Counsel Gichuhi Gikui said.
The case has been in court for five years.
