The contractor undertaking the multibillion billion Muruny-Siyoi Dam and Water Project in West Pokot has been challenged to increase the pace of construction to enable residents’ access safe and clean water.
Water and Sanitation Principal Secretary (PS), Julius Tanui, said the government had set aside Sh2.2 billion in the previous revenue and this year’s budget to facilitate completion of the project, which has taken more than a decade since its inception.
Speaking during a fact-finding mission at the project site in Pokot South Sub-county, Tanui urged the contractor to increase the workforce and working hours to ensure the project is completed within the shortest time possible.
He proposed the introduction of two eight-hour working shifts, to accelerate the remaining works and enable residents to start benefiting from the project before the end of the year.
“You can increase the workforce or introduce two working shifts of eight hours each so that we have this project completed before the end of the year. The residents have been yearning to get the benefits from this project, which seems to have taken more time than was planned for,” said Tanui.
The PS acknowledged that the major flagship project had experienced cash flow challenges, but assured residents that the government remain committed to its completion.
The Muruny-Siyoi Dam and Water Supply Project, which was officially launched in 2015, is currently 87.4 percent complete and is expected to benefit an estimated 350,000 people in the region by 2035.
Tanui said the impounding of water is expected to begin by the end of October, which includes closing of the water gates to pave way for the formation of the dam and the final lap that will entail water treatment and supply.
“We are running short of time for this project that is dearly awaited by the residents and we wish that it is completed so that we take advantage of the October-November and December rains to allow more water accumulation,” he urged.
Tanui, accompanied by the North Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency (NRVWWDA) Board Chair and former West Pokot Governor, Prof. John Lonyangapuo, assured residents that the government was determined to have the project completed and ready for use by January next year.
According to NRVWWDA progress report, Lot 1 encompasses Dam Component and Lot 2 – Water Supply Component.
The current progress report covers Lot 1. which comprises construction of a 30-metre-high cyclopean/mass gravity concrete dam with a 193-metre crest, designed to impound 8.9 million cubic metres of water; a 180-metre spillway; a 182-metre twin-cell diversion culvert; a 32-metre-high intake tower; intake tower footbridge; spillway bridge; a 71-metre reservoir bridge; 2.7 kilometres of access roads; an 11.2-kilometre, 800mm-diameter raw water pipeline; and two community water and CSR projects.
The wider water supply component includes conventional water treatment works at Kabichbich with an ultimate capacity of 38,800 cubic metres per day, water storage tanks with a combined capacity of 17,865 cubic metres, and 127.226 kilometres of bulk water transmission and distribution pipelines.
Overall progress significant progress has been recorded across key components. The 180-metre spillway, 182-metre twin diversion culvert, intake tower footbridge, 71-metre Reservoir Bridge and 15-metre Spillway Bridge are complete.
“The intake tower is 99.5 per cent complete, while the 11.2-kilometre raw water pipeline is 98.5 per cent complete, with the entire pipeline laid and most sections pressure tested.
The cyclopean dam is 72.72 per cent complete, with 50,117 cubic metres of cyclopean concrete cast against the required 63,000 cubic metres. Foundation grouting and lean concrete works are complete.
The current programme provides for completion of the outstanding works by 30 December 2026,” stated the report issued by Joyce Rono Manager, Corporate Communication National Water Harvesting & Storage Authority (NWHSA).
Prof. Lonyangapuo regretted the prolonged delay in completing the project, saying the contractor needed to increase its pace of work to ensure the remaining works are completed within the stipulated period.
“This project was launched way back when I was the Senator and before I was the Governor. I am afraid that at the pace it has is being worked upon, it may still be incomplete as I seek for my second term as a Governor,” he posed.
He said the contractor could adopt a 24-hour working schedule, as is done in some countries, to accelerate completion.
“In some countries we are currently copying from, they have a 24-hour working schedule which the contractor can implement to cut short the full implementation of the project,” said Lonyangapuo.
He called for stricter enforcement of project completion deadlines, saying contractors who fail to meet agreed timelines should be held accountable.
“We should have a policy that if the deadline elapses, then the contractor should be held accountable and even their contract terminated and given to another,” he said.
Lonyangapuo said the prolonged delay had caused embarrassment to leaders from the region, whom he noted, had been under pressure from residents over the slow pace of implementation.
“The start of this project motivated some investors even in the neighbouring county of Trans Nzoia to start building storeyed buildings, but currently they are still bearing the brunt of manually pumping water into their premises,” he hinted.
The project is expected to provide reliable water supplies to thousands of residents once completed, addressing the longstanding challenge of access to safe and clean water in parts of West Pokot.
Residents within the threshold area commented that the completion of the project will transform their lives and provide a lasting solution to the perennial water shortage within Kapenguria Town, the County Headquarters.
By Richard Muhambe/Parklea Ivor
