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Hundreds of Bureti residents in Kericho County led by elders went to the streets of Litein town to protest the construction of sh. 34 billion Itare Water Dam at Ndoinet, Mau forest.

Speaking to the press after the demonstration, the residents led by Kipsigis Council of Elders’ secretary Edwin Kimetto said that members of the Kipsigis community have resolved that they will not allow diversion of water to Nakuru and Baringo counties.

Kimetto said that the leaders representing the community have been compromised and will face the wrath of the electorate.

He said that they will never allow the construction of Itare Water Dam project at Ndoinet, Mau forest as it will result in drying up of all the seven rivers in the South Rift region.

The sh. 34 billion Water Dam is being funded by the Italian government and is set to benefit more than 800,000 households in Nakuru and Baringo counties.

Roselyn Mwei, who represented the women pointed out that the community has refused the diversion of water. She added that elders was not consulted in the process.

Three weeks ago, all the Kericho leaders led by governor Paul Chepkwony, senator Aaron Cheruiyot, Kericho County MP Hellen Chepkwony, Justice Kemei (Soin/Sigowet), Erick Keter (Belgut) Leonard Sang(Bureti), Benjamin Langat (Ainamoi) and Joseph Limo (Kipkelion East) met with the elders at Tea research Institute, to discuss the issue but no agreement was reached.

CORD leader Raila Odinga also met the elders in Kericho some two days later in a closed door meeting over the same.