In a recent development stemming from the tragic 2018 dam disaster in Kenya, the families of the victims have found closure through an out-of-court settlement with the facility's owner. Facilitated by Kenya's Human Rights Commission, the agreement mandates compensation: Ksh1.2 million ($8,000) for adults and Ksh800,000 ($5,300) for minors affected by the calamity, as announced in a statement by the commission on Tuesday.
The devastating incident occurred in 2018 when the dam collapsed under the weight of heavy rains, unleashing a torrent that engulfed the fields of a sprawling 3,000-acre commercial coffee farm. Homes and crop farms downstream were obliterated, leading to the tragic loss of 47 lives, including 20 children, as reported by the Kenya Human Rights Commission.
The aftermath of the disaster saw numerous families displaced from their homes, as the dam water surged through nearby villages, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Legal proceedings against the dam owners revealed several charges, including the failure to conduct an environmental impact assessment report prior to constructing the facility. Experts testified in court, highlighting the lack of a proper drainage system in the ill-fated dam located in Nakuru county.