The construction of approximately Sh3 billion Kirandich Dam Phase two water project in Baringo County which had stalled for seven years has commenced in earnest.
The project encompasses the development of a sewerage and water treatment for Kabarnet town, enlargement of dam spillway, protection of reservoir from siltation through construction of check dams and water supply for Kabarnet and neighbouring Kabartonjo town.
The Kirandich project is being implemented with the funding from the Italian government in cooperation with the government of Kenya and undertaken by Cospin company.
Speaking during a field verification visit of the development project, Secretary in the office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary (PCS) Alfred Diru said that upon completion, the project will enable approximately 60,000 people in Baringo Central and Baringo North Sub Counties to access portable water supply and enable another 20,000 people to access sanitation services within Kabarnet town’s Central Business District.
Diru while in the company of Central Rift Valley water works development agency manager Kutol Cherutich and Baringo Central Deputy County Commissioner Henry Tiya, stated that among the activities being undertaken during this phase that commenced in 2023 is construction of Kasoiyo-Kituro, Kasoiyo-Kaptorokwo and Kabarnet-Kabartonjo pipelines.
He stated that the project’s overall progress is currently at approximately 26.79 percent and there is need for more efforts to ensure that the project which has stalled since 2017 is completed without further delays.
“The contractor was able to excavate a total of 22,102 meters’ pipeline in Kasoiyo, Kituro and Kaptorokwo as well as construct six water tanks in several pumping stations within the coverage area,” the official said.
He added that apart from the establishment of ten gabion dykes in a bid to reduce siltation, the dam will witness some expansion works with one side being excavated to increase the volume of the water to sustain the ever-increasing population.
The team was informed of plans to lay solar panels to generate energy of up to 800 megawatts in a bid to reduce high electricity bills of Sh4 million per month due to pumping of water to the main storage tanks.
Tiya in his remarks said he is optimistic that the project will be completed in time in order to benefit more residents who are in need of the valuable commodity for their domestic, animal and agricultural use.
By Benson Kelio and Joshua Kibet
