Where’s promised dam? Dry Laikipia asks state

Laikipia residents have faulted both the national and county governments for failing to put in place lasting solutions to persistent water shortages, despite the county’s proximity to Mt Kenya, one of the country’s major water towers.

Residents accused the government of abandoning a Sh6 billion mega dam project that was proposed in 2021 and was expected to provide a long-term solution to water scarcity across the county.

In June 2018, then Water Principal Secretary Joseph Irungu visited Nanyuki town and announced that construction of Kahurura Dam in Mt Kenya forest would commence immediately.

The proposed dam would have the capacity to store 5.5 million cubic metres of water and was to be completed within three years.

Following the announcement, engineers from the Water Resources Authority toured the proposed construction site along Likii North River inside Mt Kenya National Park, assuring residents that the project was on track.

However, seven years later, construction is yet to begin, as residents in the largely semi-arid county continue to grapple with water shortages.

Lydia Mwangi, a resident of Thingithu ward, said lack of water has thrust many households into poverty as they depend on their farms to feed and support themselves.

“We only plant our crops when it rains and often we don’t get good harvests because of climate change. Soon after the rains stop, the crops wither because of the hot weather,” she explained.

Mwangi said the county government should prioritise water provision as it has the capacity to drastically lift livelihoods and the economy.

Residents further faulted the county for failing to fulfil its pledges for interventions such as drilling 300 boreholes after the administration procured a water drilling rig.

Soon after assuming office in 2022, Governor Joshua Irungu promised to implement concrete measures to address water shortages in both rural and urban areas.

“But those promises are yet to be realised. Even those with piped water sometimes go for prolonged periods without water when it’s not raining,” Mwangi added.

Laikipia residents fetch water using donkeys from Timau river/ ALICE WAITHERA

With the dry season setting in, residents, including those living in urban centres, are now bracing for prolonged water rationing by service providers.

Peter Kuria, a resident of Nanyuki town, questioned why large volumes of water go to waste during rainy seasons, only for rationing to be imposed once the dry season begins.

Poor planning by the county government and lack of storage infrastructure remains the county’s biggest challenge.

“The only time we don’t get rationing is when there’s rain. A month after the rains stop, they start rationing water,” he said,

Kuria, a public policy expert, wondered why the county that borders Mt Kenya Forest is unable to take advantage of the numerous rivers flowing from the mountain to other counties to ensure all residents are provided with consistent supply.

“Why is the county unable to store some of this water before it flows downstream? Even when it rains, they just allow the run off to flow to other counties and leave us with shortages”.

Kuria appealed to the governor to revisit the issue and focus on irrigation water to support small scale farmers in boosting their production.

Mid last year, Governor Irungu had announced that Nanyuki town would be rid of water shortages from October following the completion of Nanyuki bulk water project.

The project, the governor had said, would channel six million litres of water daily to Nanyuki town and its environs, expressing optimism that it would boost investments.

The governor further noted that the county was working towards ensuring no resident would walk over two kilometres in search of clean drinking water.

About 55 per cent of the households in the county have access to piped water with 92 percent of locals accessing drinking water within 30 minutes, including time taken to travel to source, waiting, collecting the water and returning home.

In 2023, the county launched the Sh2.2bn Nanyuki Water and Sanitation Company Strategic Plan 2023-2028 that will expand water distribution and sanitation coverage to reach more communities, improve raw water supply and reduce water rationing and enhance reliability.

Nawasco covers 120,000 people in Nanyuki town and its environs, with a 94 per cent coverage currently.

INSTANT ANALYSIS

Residents wondered why the county that borders the Mt Kenya Forest is unable to take advantage of the numerous rivers flowing from the mountain to other counties to ensure all residents are provided with a consistent supply. About 55 per cent of the households in the county have access to piped water with 92 percent of locals accessing drinking water within 30 minutes, including time taken to travel to source, waiting, collecting the water and returning home.