The government is set to fast track the construction of Koru-Soin multi-purpose dam in Kisumu County to curb flooding in Nyando.
ICT and The Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary (CS) Eliud Owalo said the project which has been in the pipeline for years was top on the agenda of the Kenya Kwanza administration adding that funds will be allocated in the budget to fast track the project.
The government, he said, was concerned about the plight of thousands of households displaced by floods in Nyando adding that the problem shall be sorted once and for all after the completion of the project.
Speaking at Ombaka evacuation centre in Nyando Sub-County where he distributed relief food to families displaced by floods, Mr Owalo said water shall be abstracted from River Nyando into the dam to reduce flooding downstream.
The project, he added, will also be used to generate electricity and distribute water for domestic use and irrigation to boost food security in the area.
Owalo who was accompanied by SASRA Chairman Jack Ranguma, former Kisumu Senator Fred Outa and lawyer Miguna Miguna urged leaders from the Nyanza region to rally behind President William Ruto to fastrack development in the area.
The Kenya Kwanza government, he said has demonstrated its commitment and willingness to unlock development in the area calling on the local leaders to support the administration for meaningful gains to be realised.
Besides the dam, the government, he added, was constructing a multi-billion aquaculture project at Kabonyo-Kanyagwal in Kisumu to help revive fisheries in the area.
Farmers, he added, stand to benefit immensely from the project through training and capacity building to unlock the economic potential of the sector.
The government, he said, was committed to fulfilling election pledges adding that through the chaters signed with various players across the value chains shall be accomplished.
So far 12,500 people have been displaced by floods in Kisumu with fears of more households being affected following heavy rains being experienced in the area.
The affected households currently living in different evacuation centers are in dire need of food and nonfood items as efforts to mitigate against the effects of floods in the area continue.
By Chris Mahandara
