Nakuru County government has rehabilitated Morop Dam in Bahati area to a tune of Sh15 million after it went dormant 20 years go.
The County Chief Officer for Environment, Energy, Natural Resources and Climate Change Kiogora Muriithi said the dam which has a capacity of 600,000m³ had been abandoned for a long time after it was silted up.
The dam was said to have been commissioned by the former President Daniel Arap Moi in 1980s and served over 700 households.
Muriithi said the dam would serve as the primary water source for families living in parts of Bahati, Kabazi and Rongai wards.
He added that the dam would also supply water to over 50 communal water points, 7 secondary schools, 12 primary schools, dispensaries and Kabarak University which have been afflicted with perennial water shortage for a long time.
The Chief Officer explained that over 100,000 families residing in Bahati, Rongai and Subukia sub-counties were set to benefit from the dam water both for domestic and livestock.
Muriithi however regretted that many parts of the county have continued to experience harsh climatic conditions due to climate change that has led to unpredictable weather patterns, adding that the mitigation efforts of distilling the Morop dam would go a long way in ensuring that the area residents get consistent water supply.
According to Muriithi, Morop dam is located in agriculturally rich area where farming through irrigation could be done throughout the year.
He lamented that the land in Bahati area had remained under-utilized as a result of most farmers relying on rain-fed agriculture, adding with the rehabilitation of the dam, farmers would now have a reserve of harvested water that could be utilized during the dry season.
He was happy that the farming community would now have new sources of reliable water supply that would enable them engage in income generating ventures through small scale irrigation such as vegetables growing, passion fruits and Irish potatoes farming, as well as fish farming.
Muriithi also urged the youths in the area to take advantage of the dam and initiate income generating activities such as small-scale horticultural farming, fish farming and other agri-business projects to create employment and also earn their living.
While lauding the completion of the project, Kabazi ward MCA Dr Peter Mbae stated that the dam would facilitate the economic growth of the area through enhanced road networks and investments by entrepreneurs.
Dr Mbae was happy that employment opportunities for the youth and women were mushrooming in the area citing beekeeping and agro forestry tree nurseries that he said was becoming lucrative ventures.
By Esther Mwangi and Chepkemoi Charloth
