MPs push for revival of stalled Itare dam water project

By Peter Ochieng

Members of Parliament (MPs) are rooting for the revival of the Itare water dam project in Kuresoi North, Nakuru County which stalled years ago.

The legislatures who are members of the National Assembly Committee on Blue Economy, Water and Irrigation conducted a fact-finding tour of the stalled multi-million water dam project.

Led by committee chairman Kagongo Bowen, they inspected the project, one of the massive water projects in the county.

The MPs were informed that the Sh28 billion project stalled after Sh11 billion was spent. MP Bowen assured residents of the county that the government is committed to reviving the project, in order to deal with the acute water shortage they face.

"We have come here as a committee for a fact-finding mission but also express the government's commitment to revive the project," he said, as shared on Parliament of Kenya social media pages.

He said construction works will resume in the next three months.

"In the next three months you will see construction works on the project resume," he stated, adding that they are satisfied with the work that had been done before the project stalled.

"We have seen the contractor had mobilised adequate machinery that lies idle on site. The contractor can complete the project and has the government's support," he added.

The Chairperson noted that his committee will consider increasing the money allocated to the project, to ensure that its completed to the required standard.

"We will consider increasing funds allocated to the project to Sh40 billion to be able to fund the re-designed contract to cater for the needs of residents living around the project."

Njoro MP Charity Kathambi said the region has been facing perennial water shortages, insisting that the project, if completed will provide a much needed relief.

"Many people have believed that Nakuru town and constituencies in the county do not face water shortage problems. It's good that the visit by the committee has confirmed how people suffer due to acute water shortage."