Resumption of Itare Dam construction to relieve Nakuru of water problems

Nakuru

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

KNA by Anne Sabuni

The National Assembly Committee on Water, Blue Economy, Sanitation and Irrigation has assured residents of Nakuru County that the construction of Itare Dam will resume soon to provide the residents much envisaged relief of water problems.

Led by Marakwet East Member of Parliament David Kangogo Bowen, the committee visited the Itare dam site in Kuresoi North to get a clear insight on the project, promising that the construction that has stalled at 11 percent will resume in three to four months.

“Our president engaged the Italian government on this project that they were funding and we are glad that the project is set to resume. We are here to hear from the people on issues of way-leaves and land compensation that the government will take care of,” noted Kangogo.

While appreciating the importance of the project to residents of Nakuru and its environs, the legislature noted that once the project is commenced, no hitches were expected.

“We are looking into ways of supporting the contractor. Through the supplementary budget, to sought out the compensation and way-leaves as the contractor works on the dam and main trunk,” he noted, adding that the community will be supported to back up the conservation efforts to sustain the water flow.

The contractor, Kangogo said, will work on the main trunk as the government works on reticulation through the last mile connectivity to homes and businesses around the county, to satisfy the demand of 80, 000 cubic meters of water, with the surplus expected to reach Naivasha.

Nakuru Deputy Governor David Kones, told the Committee that the residents of Kuresoi, Molo and Njoro sub County as well as the city dwellers would be relieved of their water problems if the project is completed on time.

“We have been crying for a very long time to get this water. This will be a game changer for the economy of Nakuru county that needs water for agriculture, industries and schools as well as domestic use,” said Kones urging the residents to make prudent sustainable use of the water.

The project estimated to cost the government Sh28 billion on completion was at 11 percent complete in terms of civil works and 27 percent complete overall before it stalled, with Italian firm CMC Di Ravenna expected to resume the works.

Once completed, the Itare dam will have the capacity to hold 27 million cubic meters of water and produce 100,000 cubic meters of water per day for Nakuru residents and beyond. It will benefit the residents of Kuresoi, North and South; Molo and Njoro Sub-counties as well as Nakuru City and its environs.

Nakuru leaders have continued to lobby for the construction of Itare Dam water project to ease water problems in Nakuru County, with governor Kihika also lobbying for the involvement of the locals in the construction as well as conservation efforts.

Courtesy; KNA