The Principal Secretary for the State Department of Water and Sanitation Mr. Julius Korir CBS, toured the Authority’s projects in West Pokot and Trans Nzoia counties to assess progress. These included Siyoi–Muruny Water Supply Project (Lots 1 & 2) in Pokot South Constituency, and Sabwani Flood control Project in Namanjalala, to assess progress and engage the project teams on timely delivery of this critical water infrastructure.
This was part of a high-level extensive inspection tour of critical water infrastructure projects aimed at transforming the lives of residents. Siyoi–Muruny dam project is implemented by the Ministry through the National Water Harvesting & Storage Authority.
Lot 1 involves the construction of a 30-metre-high cyclopean concrete dam with a 193m crest length, an embankment volume of 63,000m³, and a storage capacity of 8.9 million cubic metres. The dam is currently nearing completion. While Lot 2 of the project (Kabichbich Water Treatment Works) is complete and entails the construction of a conventional Water Treatment Works at Kabichbich, located 11.2km from the dam site, with a capacity of 38,800m³/day by the ultimate year 2035. The lot also includes water storage tanks with a total capacity of 17,865m³ and 127,226m of bulk water transmission and distribution pipelines and will significantly boost water supply capacity.
Once operational, the bulk water distribution and transmission system will serve Kapenguria, Makutano, Paraywa, Chepkono, Kabichbich, Chepyomet, Kaibos, Siyoi, Chepararia, Pertum, Korelach, Kapkoris, Nasokal, Chewoyet, Keringet, Karas, Murkwijit and Kishaunet.
The Principal Secretary further conducted a site visit to the River Sabwani Flood Control Project in Namanjalala, Trans Nzoia County, being implemented by the National Water Harvesting & Storage Authority. The Contractor is currently mobilizing and expects to start work within the next week.
By undertaking these works, the government aims to reduce flood risks and enhance resilience for communities along River Sabwani. To reverse these adverse consequences of flooding, the Government of Kenya through the Authority is extending the existing dyke by 300m and construction of a drainage channel to enable the residents carry out their farming and other socio-economic activities without interruption by floods.
The Principal Secretary further instructed the Authority to do a design review and incorporate river training works to address the recurring backwash experienced at the confluence of the Sabwani and Chemususu rivers, which has previously contributed to flooding in the area.
Earlier, the Principal Secretary, together with his entourage, had paid courtesy calls to the West Pokot County Commissioner Mr. David Saruni and Deputy Governor H.E, Robert Komole at the County headquarters in Kapenguria. The County Commissioner assured the Principal Secretary that they will ensure security for all government infrastructure.
The Deputy Governor called upon the Principal Secretary to secure resources for completion of the dam so that the residents could start benefitting from the project.
Accompanying the Principal Secretary was the Water Secretary Eng. Samuel Alima, Eng. Eng. Julius Mugun and his technical team plus the Chief Executive Officer of the North Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency and other ministry officials.
The PS was accompanied by the Water Secretary Eng. Samuel Alima, Authority’s Ag. CEO, Eng. Julius Mugun and technical teams from the Authority and Contractor.
