The Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Eric Muga and Ugandan Environment Minister Beatrice Atim have signed a bilateral agreement on a transboundary project, Angololo Water Resources Development Project (AWRDP).
The project, which is implemented in collaboration with the Nile Basin Initiative through the Nile Basin Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Program (NELSAP) is expected to boost food security, power access, creation of employment and regional integration between the neighboring countries.
Speaking during the signing of the agreement in Busia, CS Muga said the project which was conceptualized in 2015 will cost a total of USD 137 million (approximately Sh17 billion).
“Let’s look at the benefits this project will bring. It will create employment for our people here and our neighbor Uganda, it will supply clean water to the more than 300,000 people in Busia and Bungoma in Kenya and Tororo, Namisindwa and Manafwa Districts in Uganda,” he said.
He stated that more than 4,000 hectares of land will be irrigated contributing to food security in both countries and regions as 47 percent hectares will be in Kenya and 53 percent being in Uganda, adding that there will be restoration of 30 percent of the 447 square kilometers of degraded upstream catchment area.
The official further said that young people will benefit with employment from the construction project stating that residents of Teso North where the project is located will benefit all the more as they will provide services and labour.
“The aquaculture will be uplifted as the dam will have a water holding capacity of 31.6 million cubic meters. This dam will also produce power of about 1.3 MW hydro power with plans to add 20MW from the floating solar system which will help to tame the power problem around this region,” he said.
Muga called on Kenyans and Ugandans to work together and show the world that Africans can work together seamlessly and harmoniously to achieve a project of high magnitude.
The Ugandan Minister for Environment, Beatrice Atim, lauded the projects stating that both Kenyans and Ugandans will benefit from it.
“We are blessed with many resources and now it’s time for us to benefit from our natural resources. Let’s do all what it takes to conserve and protect the source of these natural resources. Let’s conserve our environment and stop polluting our lakes and other natural resources,” she said.
She said that it’s important for the beneficiaries to understand the importance of the project as this will enable them to feel being its owners. “We have the capability of doing great things if we work together. We need home solutions with less conditions without relying much on others,” she said.
Teso North MP Oku Kaunya expressed appreciation for the project stating that it will transform the lives of many people.
“This is a transformative project and will have a big impact on both countries in terms of food security and power which has remained a challenge among us. We will benefit together with our neighbors in food, agriculture and even market our products,” he said.
The project is expected to transform lives and communities through food security and livelihoods, access to clean water and sanitation, energy for development, environmental conservation, job creation and regional integration. The project was identified in 2010 and is aligned with Kenya’s Vision 2030 and Uganda’s Vision 2040.
Its tendering and construction are slated for 2026/2027 Financial Year with the operation phase expected to start in 2030.
By Salome Alwanda and Rodgers Omondi
