WATER CS. MR. ZACHARIAH NJERU’s TOUR OF SOIN-KORU DAM
CS Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Mr Zachariah Njeru, EGH accompanied by the PS Irrigation Mr. Ephantus Kimotho, CBS, toured Soin-Koru Dam yesterday.He was given the project brief by the Authority’s Ag. CEO Eng. John Muhia who was accompanied by the project Engineer Julius Mugun.
The land owners urged officials to fast-track outstanding compensation, a concern that the CS noted government’s commitment to look for resources in order to progress compensation and construction of the dam. The CS pointed out the major role of the project in contributing to Agriculture and food security which is one of the main pillars of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda. (BeTA).
Soin-Koru Dam is a multipurpose dam located about 5km upstream of Muhoroni Town across Nyando River that forms the boundary between Kericho and Kisumu Counties. The main purpose of the project is to control floods along river Nyando. It will also supply 72,000m3/day of water for domestic use, irrigation of 2,570 Hectares of land and generation of 2.5MW of hydropower. The dam is proposed to be a zoned rockfill dam with an impermeable clay core. It will have water storage capacity of 93.7Million cubic metres. This project is funded by the Government of Kenya.
The dam embankment will be constructed across Koitatui and Got Alila Hills. The water treatment works are located about 1km to the downstream of the dam wall from where water will flow by gravity to low lying areas mainly on Kisumu side while water to serve Kericho side will be pumped to main storage tank at Kwa Nyangilo from where water will be served to various points on the targeted areas.
The project will supplypotable water to meet water deficit in areas of Kisumu and Kericho counties such as Kisumu City and neighboring areas of Awasi, Chemelil, Ahero. Koitaburot, Chepsengeny, Kaplelach, Pala, Nyaidho, Kapkisai and Simbi.
Other areas to be supplied with clean water include Kabore, Kapkormom, Kejiriet, Kaptalamwa, kipsitet, Nyaberi, Kapasenwo, Baregeiywet, Kaitui, Kiptugumo, Sombicho ang parts of Sokohuru.
The dam will also supply water for irrigation to ensure food security on lower areas of Awasi and Ahero. For Kericho side water will be pumped to a tank located at Kwa Nyangilo from where water will flow by gravity to most of the areas except some few supply areas where supply boosting will be required. These areas are upstream areas of Soin/Soliat wards.
Project Components
- Embankment crest length 1354m
- Reservoir Storage capacity 93.7MCM
- Dam Embankment 54m
- Water treatment plant 72,000m3/day
- Hydropower Generation 2.5MW
The CS was accompanied by senior officials from the Ministry of Water led by the Ag. Irrigation Secretary Eng. Vincent Kabuti, officials from National Irrigation Authority, Lake Victoria South Agency, the Public Administration and the Community.
By Joyce Jepkemboi,
