Construction of Bonyunyu dam in Nyamira County will begin soon. Water Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki revealed the report the report and said the national government has dealt with the controversies surrounding the project, paving way for its commencement.
“The national government, through President Uhuru Kenyatta, has since settled issues that have been hampering construction of the dam, which will not only benefit Nyamira residents but also those in the neighbouring Kisii,” said Sicily Kariuki.
Bonyunyu dam
The Sh 9bn project was suspended after landowners raised concerns about compensation. It had also received funding from the Dutch government two years ago, but the project has been facing resistance from residents who want construction halted on the grounds that the water reservoir will affect downstream ecosystems. There are also concerns that water volumes in rivers in the two counties are diminishing due to farming activities.
The cost of construction increased from Sh 6bn to cover a larger geographical and scope. The CS said design works had been completed the government is looking for fresh funds to be approved and released by the Treasury. Once completed, the dam is expected to serve more than 300,000 people. It will also be a much closer option for residents who have been walking long distances in search of water.
“The plan is to boost water supply for thousands of residents in the two counties in the next three years. Once the project is completed, we expect to reduce the population in need of water by half,” said CS Sicily.
