A regional development authority has embarked on massive rehabilitation of water facilities in its areas of jurisdiction which have remained stalled for many decades of their existence.
Among the giant projects identified for implementation and rehabilitation in the counties of Baringo and Elgeyo Marakwet are Chemeron dam and Chemorongion water pan in Baringo and Kabuswa dam and Chemugul water pan in Keiyo.
In Baringo, the Authority will spend Sh 400 million to revive the Chemeron dam, which started in 1986 but stalled shortly after its operationalisation.
In the 39 years of neglect, the dam with an original storage capacity of 750,000 m³ used to benefit residents on both the upstream and downstream sides of the project situated in Baringo South.
Speaking when he officially launched the rehabilitation works of the dam, PS, State Department for Arid and Semi-arid Lands and Regional Development, Kello Harsama exuded confidence that the project will go a long way to improve the socio-economic livelihoods of those living within the catchment area.
Mr Harsama, who made an extensive inspection tour of water projects in the two counties, assured residents of the national government’s commitment to restore the giant dam constructed by the Second President of the Republic of Kenya Daniel Arap Moi to its original state.
“Upon the completion of the rehabilitation works, expected to last six months, over 10,500 people and 150,000 livestock will have a steady supply of safe and clean water,“ the PS restated.
He added that once completed, 600 acres of land will be put under irrigation for both subsistence and commercial production with an expected gross margin of Sh 200,000 annually per acre from the sale of the produce.
He regretted that in the 39 years of its existence, heavy siltation has choked the dam, significantly reducing it to a floodplain.
“The dam was a lifeline to thousands of residents in the semi-arid region, providing water for domestic, livestock and agricultural use,“ he said.
KVDA Board Chair Mark Chesergon, accompanied by his Managing Director Sammy Naporos, said that in the first phase, the authority is desilting the dam at the tune of Sh100 million, which will create a storage capacity of 250,000 m³.
A brief report prepared by the implementing authority indicated that the scope of works for the proposed rehabilitation of the Chemeron dam entails excavation to remove silt, embankment works to impound water, repairs of both the off-take works for gravity pipeline and intake tower installation and construction of the spillway and check dam.
Mr. Chesergon noted that once rehabilitation works are successfully completed, neighbouring public institutions will access clean water as well as mitigate resource-based conflict experienced in the area and promote climate-smart agriculture.
In Elgeyo Marakwet, where the PS inspected some water projects under implementation by KVDA, a total of Sh 129 million will be spent to undertake planned activities.
Among the projects inspected is the Chemugul water pan, where Sh 35 million will be used for pan excavation, embankment earthworks, spillway and off-take works for gravity pipeline, main pipelines, and construction of cattle troughs, community water points and dam perimeter fencing.
At Kabuswa dam in the drier valley floor, the Authority will spend Sh34 million to undertake massive rehabilitation works.
The board chairperson added that the works, expected to take six months with an active storage capacity of 45,000 m³, will benefit 8,200 people and 1,200 farmers and targets to irrigate 500 acres.
Some of the crops planned for growing are mangoes, paw paws, tomatoes, onions, avocados, green grams and beans, expected to result in increased household incomes, the creation of job opportunities and increased food production as envisaged in the BETA development agenda.
He added that six boreholes in the lower water-scarce valley will be drilled at an estimated cost of Sh60 million. “This is aimed at improving the lives of the people through the establishment and improvement of water infrastructure so as to ensure a reliable source of water for domestic, micro-irrigation and livestock purposes, besides promoting environmental conservation.
In the launch attended by Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi, Baringo South MP Charles Kamuren and County Commissioner Stephen Kutwa, MD Naporos said that in realisation of Presidential directive of growing 15 billion trees, KVDA is steadfast in its mandate of river basin conservation and restoration of the degraded environment in the region for climate mitigation and livelihood improvement.
“Already in our nurseries spread across the region, we have over 1.6 million tree and fruit seedlings. Today we are distributing 50,000 tree seedlings for school greening and 20,000 mango seedlings to the community for livelihood improvement, “Naporos revealed.
Naporos pointed out that the authority’s approach in this programme is three-pronged, thus promoting fruit farming intended to enhance nutrition amongst the community, improve livelihoods through the sale of fruits and conserve the environment.
Governor Benjamin Cheboi, in his remarks, said the project is an indication that the county is on the right trajectory in terms of irrigation systems.
He noted that his administration is collaborating with other stakeholders to establish and renovate several dams in order to promote agricultural activities in the county.
Some of the farmers who attended the event lauded the project, which they said will serve as a lifeline to them.
Johnston Tiren, a representative from the Ilchamus community, said the dam, once complete, will provide them with the opportunity to engage in extensive agriculture since their area is yet to be covered by irrigation.
Tiren’s sentiments were echoed by John Kangogo from the Endao community, who stated that the dam, apart from serving neighbouring institutions and public amenities, will also attract investments in Marigat town.
By Joshua Kibet
