The owner of the Kenyan dam that burst its banks in May and killed 47 people will be charged with manslaughter, the country’s Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) announced on Wednesday.
Vinoj Jaya Kumar will be joined in the docks by other top officials of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the Water Resources Management Authority (WRMA) and Nakuru County Government.
The private Patel Dam was mainly used for irrigation and fish farming.
DPP Noording Haji directed Inspector-General Joseph Boinnet to conduct through investigations to establish the cause and culpability of the tragedy that claimed lives and left a trail of destruction in the area.
He said investigators found that the construction of the dam was done by unqualified staff using farm equipment leading to construction and design flaws.
Haji also revealed that the water permit was issued in an irregular manner, further noting that there was failure by the owners, NEMA and WRMA to ensure environmental compliance.
The other officials that will face charges alongside Kumar will also be charged with a second account of neglect of duty.
