The construction of Koru-Soin Dam in Kisumu is set to kick off following an agreement between the National Water Harvesting Authority (NWHA) and the community living on the land earmarked for the project.
Kisumu County Governor Prof. Anyang Nyong’o said the affected households on the 2, 500 acres of land in Kisumu and Kericho counties have been engaged to pave way for the construction of the dam.
Nyong’o said the national government was working out modalities for compensation of the affected people on the 360 parcels of land ahead of the construction of the multi-purpose dam.
The move, he said was welcome adding that once completed the dam will be a lasting solution to the perennial floods downstream River Nyando which has left a trail of destruction worth billions of shillings.
Upon completion, the project is expected to provide 102, 000 m3/day of water to a population of 1.71 million and to end water shortages in the neighboring counties of Kericho, Nandi, and Kisumu.
It will also act as a sediment trap, reducing sediment build-up downstream, which is the main cause of flooding and ensure regulation of the river flow, thus providing water for irrigation all year round.
Speaking in Kisumu on Wednesday after flagging off Covid-19 relief to schools affected by floods in Kabonyo-Kanyagwal ward, Nyando Sub-County, Nyong’o said the county government was grappling with losses worth millions of shillings occasioned by the recent floods.
He said 99 roads were destroyed by floods in the area which the county government required Sh. 400 million to fix.
Other infrastructure among them schools, ECD classrooms and crops, he said were not spared by the floods.
Through support from Red Cross and UNICEF assorted stuff among them thermal guns, masks, bar soaps, sanitizers, hand washing stations, sanitary pads and water purifiers were dispatched to the affected schools.
The county government, he said was in talks with the national government to relocate some of the affected schools to higher grounds.
“As you are aware some of the affected classes are for ECD and Vocational Training Centers (VTC’s) that is why the rebuilding exercise will be done jointly with the national government,” he said.
Some of the schools affected in the area include Kandaria Primary, Ogenya Primary, Ugwe Primary, Ombaka Secondary School, Oseth Primary School and Odienya Primary school.
By Aphline Dorothy/Anne Jepkoech
