Kipkaren dam to ease water shortage

Residents of Uasin Gishu and Nandi counties are expected to benefit from improved water access following a partnership between the two county governments to facilitate the completion of the Sh1.3 billion Kipkaren Dam Water Supply Project.

Located along the border of the two counties, the Kipkaren Dam is a strategic multi-purpose investment designed to enhance water security while strengthening communities’ resilience to the effects of climate change.

Officials from Uasin Gishu and Nandi counties, together with the North Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency and Lake Victoria North Water Works Development Agency, recently carried out a joint inspection of the project to assess its progress and identify measures needed to accelerate completion.

Funded by the National Government in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB), the project is expected to significantly improve water supply in Eldoret and surrounding areas.

The project is being implemented in Kapseret Constituency, Uasin Gishu County, and is expected to increase the town’s water supply by an additional 23,000 cubic metres per day. Once completed, it is projected to benefit approximately 50,000 residents in Eldoret and its environs.

Apart from meeting domestic water needs, the dam is expected to support agricultural activities and create opportunities for long-term economic development among communities living around the project area.

Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii said construction had resumed following the successful procurement and signing of a new contractor.

He said the joint inspection provided an opportunity for stakeholders to review the project’s current status, agree on key implementation priorities and reaffirm their commitment to ensuring the project is completed efficiently and within the expected timelines.

Bii assured stakeholders that the county government would continue providing the necessary support throughout the implementation period.

He further stressed the need for close cooperation among all parties involved to prevent delays and ensure that construction is undertaken in line with the approved project plan.

North Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency Chief Executive Officer Douglas Murei welcomed the partnership between the two counties and agencies, saying the project represents a shared commitment to improving the lives of residents.

Murei said the inspection was not simply about assessing construction works but also about ensuring that all institutions involved take collective responsibility for delivering a project expected to have a significant impact on communities in both Nandi and Uasin Gishu counties.

Eldoret currently depends heavily on a water supply system constructed more than five decades ago in Kaptagat Forest near Chebara Dam in Elgeyo Marakwet County. The system supplies about 39,000 cubic metres of water daily, which is below the city’s estimated demand of 53,000 cubic metres per day.

With Eldoret’s population having surpassed one million people, water demand continues to increase. The town’s elevation to city status is also expected to accelerate population growth and increase pressure on existing water infrastructure.

Chebara Dam, located in Moiben-Kuserwo Ward, Marakwet West Sub-County, has supplied water to the Eldoret Water and Sanitation Company (ELDOWAS) for more than three decades. The facility currently provides about 36,000 cubic metres of water daily to Eldoret and neighbouring areas.

The additional supply expected from Kipkaren Dam will therefore play a critical role in narrowing the existing water deficit and improving reliability for households and businesses.

Meanwhile, ELDOWAS reaffirmed its commitment to providing residents with safe and quality water during its Annual General Meeting held last week.

The company outlined strategies aimed at addressing the growing water demand, expanding sanitation services and strengthening its financial sustainability.

The AGM also approved measures focused on improving governance, mobilising resources and promoting inclusive sanitation services as Eldoret continues to expand and establish itself as a growing city.