In an effort to enhance water storage, ensure food security, and strengthen flood control, the National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority (NWHSA) has signed a collaboration framework with Dredge Masters Kenya to desilt dams and dredge flood-prone rivers.
The partnership will focus on the planning, execution, and management of water infrastructure projects, which are aimed at improving water storage, controlling floods, and promoting environmental sustainability.
This collaboration comes in response to emerging challenges and the pressing need for sustainable water reservoir development to expand storage capacity, enhance water and food security, and mitigate the effects of droughts and floods.
Speaking during the meeting in Nairobi, National Water Chairman CPA Symon Kimaru underscored the importance of the partnership, emphasizing that both parties will leverage their expertise and resources in dredging operations, land reclamation, and specialized civil works to enhance flood control and water management efforts.
CPA Kimaru divulged that these efforts will play a crucial role in supporting the Authority’s ongoing project implementations, particularly those aimed at mitigating floods.
He further noted: “The collaboration aligns with the government’s broader agenda of enhancing water security, mitigating the effects of climate change, and ensuring sustainable water management for communities affected by recurrent floods.”
The Chairman emphasized the need to adopt technology and a comprehensive, catchment-oriented approach to effectively mitigate the impact of floods.
He said through such strategic partnerships and collaboration, the institutions will not only strengthen water and food security in the country but will also build resilience against droughts and floods.
“With the effects of climate change, there is a need to adopt the use of technology and a comprehensive catchment-oriented approach so as to mitigate against the effects of floods through enhanced partnerships and collaboration,” said CPA Kimaru.
The Acting CEO of National Water, Eng. Julius Mugun, noted that river sedimentation is a major cause of flooding, particularly in major rivers of Nyanza, such as the Nyando and Nzoia.
Eng. Mugun stressed that the impact of these effects in the flood-prone rivers has resulted in the loss of life, destruction of property worth millions, and displacement of residents living along the river banks.
He revealed that through partnerships and collaborations, dredging these rivers will help restore their natural courses, therefore playing a crucial role in mitigating the effects of floods.
Eng. Mugun reaffirmed the Authority’s mandate to harvest and store water for irrigation and multipurpose use, emphasising the critical role of well-maintained reservoirs in ensuring water and food security.
He noted that many dams, particularly colonial-era structures, have accumulated significant silt over the years, leading to reduced storage capacity.
This, he clarified, has hindered effective water management, impacting irrigation, domestic use, and flood control efforts.
Mugun stressed the need for desilting and rehabilitating these dams to enhance their efficiency and support sustainable water resource management.
The acting CEO cited Kiserian Dam, whose original capacity is 1.2 million cubic meters (1.2 billion litres), which now holds less than a million cubic meters due to sedimentation.
On the other hand, Group Chairman of Dredge Masters Limited, Dr. Joseph Agyapong, pledged that they will provide specialized training and knowledge transfer to NWHSA personnel on advanced dredging techniques and modern water infrastructure management.
Agyapong further reaffirmed the commitment to continuously upgrading and maintaining technical equipment to optimal performance throughout all project activities.
His sentiment was echoed by the Managing Director of Dredge Masters Limited, Capt. Ansar Khan, who emphasized that the collaboration will open the doors for collaborations in the rehabilitation and maintenance of existing water infrastructures, enhancing long-term reliability.
“The agreement will pave the way for collaboration in the rehabilitation and maintenance of existing water infrastructures to ensure long-term reliability and pursue any additional collaborative initiatives.” said Capt. Khan.
Capt. Khan stated that the collaborative efforts are aimed at advancing the development and management of water infrastructure.
By Ian Chepkuto
