Kipkarren water project nears Completion
The Kipkarren Dam Water Supply Project has reached 82 per cent completion, bringing Eldoret and surrounding communities closer to a major increase in treated water supply as demand continues to outstrip production.
Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Eric Mugaa, Principal Secretary for Water and Sanitation Julius Korir and Water Secretary Samuel Alima inspected the project in Uasin Gishu County on Saturday, October 17, 2026, to assess progress and the remaining construction works.
Upon completion, the project is expected to deliver approximately 24,000 cubic metres of treated water daily, with about 21,000 cubic metres allocated to Eldoret and its surrounding areas and 3,000 cubic metres intended for Mosoriot in Nandi County.
The additional supply is expected to benefit residents of Kapseret, Langas, Racecourse, Upper Elgon View, Eldoret International Airport, Mlango, Lelmokwo and other settlements connected to the distribution network.
The project is designed to serve approximately 324,756 people across Uasin Gishu and Nandi counties, making it a significant investment in regional water security.
The latest progress follows years of implementation challenges. In an earlier update, the Central Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency reported that construction had stalled at 72 per cent completion, with a new contractor awarded the remaining works in November 2025 while awaiting site handover. A subsequent procurement notice published in April 2025 had invited bids for the completion of the treatment works and associated pipelines.
The reported 82 per cent completion in October 2026 signals further progress towards delivering the long-awaited infrastructure.
The investment comes as Eldoret faces a substantial gap between water demand and available supply.
On October 5, 2026, Principal Secretary Julius Korir said the city was receiving approximately 40,000 cubic metres of water daily against an estimated demand of 70,000 cubic metres. This left a daily shortfall of about 30,000 cubic metres.
The Kipkarren project is expected to supply an additional 21,000 cubic metres daily to Eldoret, helping narrow the deficit and reduce pressure on existing water systems. The additional 3,000 cubic metres allocated to Mosoriot will also strengthen supplies in Nandi County.
The project was developed in response to Eldoret’s urban expansion, which has increased pressure on existing water infrastructure and left some neighbourhoods inadequately served. Reliable water supply is essential for households, health facilities, schools, businesses and industries, particularly as the city continues to grow.
The additional capacity could also support economic activities by improving the reliability of water services for commercial establishments and public institutions.
The conventional water treatment plant has been completed, according to the latest project update, and is designed to process 24,375 cubic metres of water daily.
Other key components include raw-water conveyance infrastructure, a rising main, storage tanks, pumping facilities and distribution pipelines. The broader project design includes a 13.75-kilometre rising main and a 10,000-cubic-metre ground storage tank, alongside an extensive pipeline network intended to move water to beneficiary areas.
Project information published by Eldoret Water and Sanitation Company in 2026 also highlighted more than 110 kilometres of transmission pipelines, seven storage tanks, booster pumping stations and associated mechanical and electrical works among the project’s infrastructure components.
These facilities will work together to convey water from Kipkarren Dam to the treatment plant, store the treated supply and distribute it to consumers. The storage facilities are particularly important in regulating supply and helping meet fluctuations in demand throughout the day.
The project design also provides for a possible future increase in treatment capacity to 32,500 cubic metres daily under a second phase, subject to implementation.
The Kipkarren Dam Treatment Works and Associated Pipelines Project is being implemented under the Kenya Towns Sustainable Water Supply and Sanitation Programme, which receives financing from the Government of Kenya and the African Development Bank (AfDB).
Earlier information from the Lake Victoria North Water Works Development Agency placed the estimated project cost at approximately Sh1.1 billion. The programme is intended to improve water infrastructure in growing urban centres and extend reliable services to communities experiencing supply constraints.
The project involves coordination among water works development agencies, with the Central Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency handling the remaining works on behalf of the Lake Victoria North Water Works Development Agency and North Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency, the beneficiary agency.
This inter-agency arrangement supports the implementation of major water infrastructure whose benefits extend across administrative boundaries.
Despite the progress recorded, completing the outstanding works will be essential before the project can deliver its full benefits. Testing, commissioning and effective operation of the treatment plant, pumps, storage facilities and pipelines will determine how efficiently water reaches consumers.
Long-term performance will also depend on the availability of raw water, proper maintenance, reliable power for pumping and effective management of the distribution network.
As the project advances towards completion, the focus is shifting from construction progress to the delivery of dependable water services. Its success will ultimately be measured by the amount of treated water reaching households and institutions and the extent to which it eases shortages in Eldoret and the surrounding communities.
The Kipkarren project is therefore a significant step towards improving water security in Uasin Gishu and Nandi counties, supporting urban growth and strengthening the infrastructure needed to meet rising demand.
