Victims of the Thange Kenya Pipeline oil spillage on Monday held a peaceful demonstration protesting delays by the company in compensating them.
The victims, mostly farmers travelled for more than100 km and camped outside the county headquarters offices demanding to be addressed by Governor Kivutha Kibwana.
They accused the oil company of reneging on its promise to compensate them by December last year, after an oil leak that contaminated river Thange and nearby water sources.
Chairperson Thange Farmers Association Muindi Kimeu, said many of the affected residents depended on river Thange and had lost their source of livelihood after the oil spillage.
Kimeu called on KPC to fast-track the compensation process threatening to seek legal redress if the matter is not resolved.
“In a meeting held last year in October with KPC and Governor Kivutha, the oil company promised to pay us in the next 21 days. Despite filling claims forms, nothing has been done,” he said.
Kimeu asked the governor to intervene and ensure that the matter is resolved.
Addressing the residents on behalf of the governor, Water Executive Douglas Mbilu said the County Government was following up the matter to ensure that the residents are compensated.
‘‘We have followed the matter with keen interest and I promise that we shall do so to the conclusive end,” said Mbilo.
County Commissioner Alex Nkoyo appealed for calm saying that the government will engage relevant stake- holders and ensure that laid down procedures are followed.
In a press statement, KPC Communications Manager Jason Nyatino said the company was already processing 236 insurance claims from affected residents.
‘‘CIC Insurance Company is currently verifying the information contained in the claim forms to ensure equity and fairness. The process will be over by end of January 2017,’’read the statement.
Nyatino added a multi-sectoral task force comprising KPC, affected residents, County Government and other government agencies will hold a meeting today (Tuesday) to deliberate on the matter.
