Build Sh20 billion Bosto Dam to solve South Rift problems

Every year, most parts in South Rift region receive a considerably higher amount of rainfall than most parts of the country due to its highland location. The region gets about 760mm (30 inches) of rain per year, making it one of the wettest in the country.

Despite this apparent abundance, however, there is a serious water problem that has for many years required intervention to ensure uninterrupted water supply to the thousands of homesteads and critical installations across the region.

Because of its overreliance on rainfall, residents have had to contend with compounding challenges during the dry spells due to severe water shortages and the fact they have to travel kilometres to fetch it from permanent rivers.

As is happening in almost every part of the country and globally, the region has not been spared the unpredictability of the rains in recent years owing to the vagaries of climate change. This uneven precipitation leads to unintended difficulties hampering social-economic development.

Water is life. Without it, everything else stops. That is why residents living in towns, including the county headquarters in Bomet and other centres, have always been up in arms to demand solutions to the perennial water shortages, which are well documented.

The lack of a countywide water supply system has meant that critical facilities such as hospitals, schools and tea factories have heavily relied on their own water supply systems, which often are linked to availability of rainfall.

During the dry seasons, they are in dire situations, forced to seek expensive remedies, such as hiring water boozers.

With dry periods occurring more frequently because of climate change, the rivers in the region, which have been reliable for decades, have shrunk, some to abysmal levels, portending grave realities in the near future in case they become seasonal or dry up.

With this not-so-reassuring outlook, it is crucial the region has a reliable water system that will ensure uninterrupted year-round supply.

The construction of Bosto Dam in Konoin constituency, Bomet county, therefore is not only welcome but not optional. It will be the lifeline for the region.

It is encouraging to see the Kenya Kwanza government is prioritising this mega project in the South Rift as the recent Cabinet approval clearly indicates its keen interest in its faster realisation.

This priority – coupled with President William Ruto’s recent to deal with the Chinese government to fund the Sh20.4 billion dam – affirms our belief its construction will commence soonest.

It is crucial the government now presses begin this project, which is long overdue. Once complete, more than 75 per cent of Bomet county and sections of neighbouring Kericho county will have a dependable source of water.

Its reservoir capacity will be at least 18.8 million cubic metres (18.8 billion litres), which serve more than 700,000 people within the county and the neighbouring areas.  

For irrigation purposes, the dam, which draws water from Kipsonoi River with its source deep in Mau Forest, will supply water for at least 17,500 acres.

Without a single public power-generating project in the entire region, it is worth noting that this dam will also be harnessed to boost the national grid – a welcome byproduct from this huge investment.

As the representative of the good people of Konoin, I know it is important the planned water supply systems reach every corner of the host constituency and also the targeted constituencies of Sotik, Bomet Central, Chepalungu, Bomet East and parts of Bureti subcounty in Kericho county.

Crucially, the perennial water problems in Bomet town and the other towns should be a thing of the past with the realisation of this project.

The two county governments should work closely with the contractor to ensure long-lasting water connections are built because we have relied for too long on small, old and unsustainable systems, some beyond repair.

The county has fertile land. With the expected constant supply of water from this dam, it will be time to maximise this fertility to increase productivity. The project has been designed to avoid high construction and maintenance costs as it relies on gravity to distribute water owing to its elevated location.

With the Cabinet approval, we now expect things to move faster and the contractor to be on site soon. As the area MP, I will endeavour to work closely and harmoniously with the government and the contractor to ensure this project is delivered as planned and on time.  

Brighton Yegon is MP for Konoin constituency, Bomet county. He is serving his second term