Members of Nakuru County Assembly have appealed to the government to revive construction of the stalled multi-billion Itare Dam to facilitate steady supply of clean water to Nakuru County residents.
Deputy Speaker Joseph Ngware Ng’ang’a said once complete, priority in water connections through piping should be given to residents of Molo, Kuresoi North and Kuresoi South Sub-Counties as the host of the dam.
While acknowledging that the County’s population and the demand for more water supply were rising by day, the deputy speaker said there was urgent need to complete the stalled dam which he said would not only open up the area but also ensure a steady supply of water to the residents both for domestic, livestock and irrigation.
Mr Ng’ang’a who is also Molo MCA observed that critical sections of the multibillion project, such as a reservoir, pipeline and tunnel were already complete, which made it easier for the new contractor to complete the remaining works.
The MCA argued that continued stalling of the dam would greatly affect the progress of Nakuru which has since attained a city status.
“To end the water woes facing residents of Nakuru County, construction of the dam must resume and be fast-tracked”, said Ng’ang’a.
Governor Susan Kihika had indicated that she would work closely with the national government to ensure they get a contractor to complete Itare dam in addition to negotiating with Baringo County for supply of water from Chemususu dam to Rongai and Subukia sub-counties which have been experiencing perennial water shortage.
“We will ensure the remaining works are sub-contracted to another firm to ensure construction of the dam resumes,” said the governor.
The Sh38 billion dam, which was meant to serve a population of one million plus in Kuresoi, Molo, Njoro, Rongai and Nakuru City, Kericho and Baringo counties, stalled after the company undertaking its construction filed for bankruptcy.
By Esther Mwangi and Charloth Chepkemoi
