More than 18,000 residents of Kyumbi in Athi River Sub County will benefit from a Sh25 million dam constructed by the National Irrigation Authority (NIA).
NIA Board Chair Mr. Gilbert Maluki said the dam with a capacity of 45,000 cubic metres will provide water for both domestic and irrigation use.
“The dam will be able to irrigate up to 50 acres. As NIA, we are committed to provision of water to enhance food security and also create income avenues for the jobless, especially the youth,” said Maluki.
Speaking over the weekend during the launch of the project, the board chair disclosed that the project will be solar powered to reduce operation costs for farmers and ensure that they maximize profits.
Maluki also said the authority was in the process of refurbishing 2,000 colonial dams and 5,000 boreholes in preparation of the El Niño rains. He said the tendering of the refurbishing of the water projects has already been floated by the Ministry of Water and Sanitation and works will commence soon.
“The project will be funded by the Korean government and the aim is to make the country food secure through provision of water,” said Maluki.
The board chair also said that the authority will construct 10,000 small dams across the country to provide water for Kenyans to carry out small scale irrigation and increase food production.
He further added that NIA through the Public Private Partnership will construct 17 mega dams in the country.
Maluki said the authority has already signed a deal with an investor from the United Kingdom for the construction of the High Grand Falls multipurpose dam at the confluence of Rivers Mutonga and Tana in Tharaka Nithi and Kitui counties at a cost of 3 billion pounds.
“We will be doing the ground breaking of the dam very soon. The dam is expected to solve water problems in Tharaka Nithi, Kitui and Garissa Counties,” said the board chair.
Also in attendance was Devolution Principal Secretary Ms. Terry Mbaika who promised that the government will ensure that Athi river is cleaned before the Thwake multipurpose dam is commissioned.
“The President is personally committed to ensure that the contaminated stretch of the river is cleaned to provide clean water for residents,” said Mbaika. She appealed to the county governments to adequately prepare for the anticipated El Nino rains and put in place proper measures to ensure that locals are safe.
Speaking at the same event, Mwala MP Vincent Musyoka said the government was committed to alleviating water scarcity in the lower eastern region and urged the residents to support the president and his administration.
“The Kenya Kwanza government is committed to delivering the pledges they made during the campaigns. One of the problems in Ukambani is water but we can change this narrative,” said Musyoka.
NIA also led a tree planting exercise in the area and distributed over 2,000 hass avocado tree seedlings to residents to plant in their farms as a strategy to fight climate change and increase food security.
By Roselyne Kavoo
