The Kiserian Dam has significantly transformed access to water and improved livelihoods for residents of Kiserian and surrounding areas, easing a long-standing shortage driven by recurrent drought and erratic rainfall in the semi-arid region.
For decades, communities in Kajiado County grappled with acute water scarcity, often relying on expensive water vendors and unreliable boreholes to meet domestic needs. The situation was worsened by prolonged dry spells typical of the region, forcing many households to allocate a significant portion of their income to water purchases.
Established in 2013 by the National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority (NWHSA) at a cost of approximately Sh1 billion, Kiserian Dam marked a turning point in water access and local economic activity.
The facility, with a storage capacity of about 1.22 million cubic metres, serves as a critical water reservoir for the rapidly growing Kiserian–Ongata Rongai corridor.
The dam also hosts a water treatment plant managed by the Oloolaiser Water and Sewerage Company Ltd, with a storage and distribution capacity of about 5,000 cubic metres, supplying water to an estimated 252,744 residents in Kiserian and Ongata Rongai.
Residents say the project has eased domestic water challenges and opened up new economic opportunities, particularly in small-scale agriculture.
David Sankale, a 29-year-old resident of the dam site area, said access to water from the dam has changed the socio-economic outlook of the community.
“Before the construction of this dam, we had a lot of water issues. Most residential areas had no piped water and depended on water kiosks, which were very expensive,” he said.
With improved water availability, more households along the dam’s catchment area have embraced irrigation farming, growing vegetables, maize and fruits even during dry seasons. This has boosted household incomes while improving food supply in local markets.
“Since the dam became operational, most of us stopped depending entirely on water vendors. I now grow kales, tomatoes and spinach which I sell to traders in Rongai market every week. It has helped me pay school fees and take care of my family,” he said.
The dam has also strengthened livestock production, a key economic activity in Kajiado County, by providing a reliable water source for cattle and other livestock, particularly during drought periods.
However, stakeholders have raised concern over environmental pressure on the water body, including siltation, pollution and waste disposal challenges linked to rapid urbanization in the Kiserian–Ongata Rongai area.
Jackson Mwangi, Chairman of the Kiserian Water Users Association, said poor waste management and soil erosion from the upper catchment area continue to threaten the sustainability of the dam.
“Soil erosion and waste disposal are some of the challenges affecting the dam. Despite the benefits it offers residents, poor waste disposal has led to an increase in water contamination risks and waterborne diseases,” he said.
Mwangi called for strengthened conservation measures, including reforestation and community-led waste management initiatives.
“Bamboo planting along the banks of the dam will help reduce soil erosion and solid waste entering the reservoir. A lot of resources are being spent on clean-up activities to clear garbage and debris that is dumped here,” he added.
He further noted that with proper investment in infrastructure and environmental protection, the dam has the potential to be developed into a recreational and eco-tourism site, given its scenic landscape and proximity to fast-growing urban settlements.
by Rop Janet
