Noordin Haji orders probe into Patel Dam tragedy in Nakuru
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This comes amid concern over the legality of the killer dam and others in the expansive farm owned by large-scale farmer Patel Mansukul.
On Thursday, it emerged that none of the dams had been licensed.
Kenya's chief prosecutor on Friday set in motion investigations into the cause of the Patel Dam tragedy in Solai, Nakuru County.
Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji directed Inspector-General Joseph Boinnet to conduct through investigations to establish the cause and culpability of the tragedy that claimed 44 lives and left a trail of destruction in the area.
He asked the IG to submit a report of the investigations in 14 days.
“I hereby direct that investigations be conducted and a file of the investigation report forwarded to the DPP office in 14 days, for perusal and appropriate action,” read part of a statement signed by Mr Haji.
This comes amid concern over the legality of the killer dam and others in the expansive farm owned by large-scale farmer Patel Mansukul.
On Thursday, it emerged that none of the dams had been licensed.
The Water Resources Management Authority (Warma) said they have been engaging Patel Coffee Estates Limited to legalise the dams without success.
This was after they noted the dangers the water reservoirs posed to the resident after they started leaking.
Mr Simon Wang’ombe, the regional manager for the Rift Valley, said officials from Warma had been visiting the farms occasionally.
He said the law requires that any private dam going beyond five meters high needed to be regularised by the authority.
"For the last one year, we have been trying to engage the company on how to legalise the dams on its farm but they have been reluctant. As far as we are concerned the dams are illegal," said Mr Wangombe.
The declaration that the dams had not been legalised left many questions unanswered, including why the concerned authorities did not act in time to avert the disaster.
