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Millions of Kenyans lack access to a stable water supply as well as to a safe toilet Kenya is undertaking several major water projects as the country looks to secure a stable, safe and consistent supply to homes as well as the agriculture sector. On Thursday (23 January) a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Alupe Dam Water supply and sanitation project in Ojamo Village, Chakol South Ward, Teso South Constituency, Busia County. The Kenyan Ministry of Water Sanitation and Irrigation said the rehabilitation and augmentation of Alupe Dam is crucial not only for improving access to sustainable water for the residents of Chakol South ward, but also to institutions like the Alupe University and other public facilities. The project will involve rehabilitation of the pre-colonial Alupe Dam with an approximate storage capacity of 300,000m³, 4,000m³ capacity treatment works, 33km of transmission and distribution mains and 4Nr storage tanks under phase 1. Once completed, the project is envisaged to serve a current population of 39,000 people during the initial year (2025) and an ultimate population of 92,000 by the 2046 and increase access to clean, safe water and sanitation services in the county, the Department said. The scope of the project in Phase One involves: • Construction of Alupe Dam with a storage capacity of 145,000m³ • Raw water main Rising main of 280mm Diameter HDPE pipeline 1.5km long • Fabrication and erection of a standard intake tower and pumping station • Construction of 3,000m³/day conventional water treatment plant • Construction of 150m³ underground masonry clear water tank • Rehabilitation of the existing 1,000m³/day treatment plant • Construction of a 100m³ elevated pressed steel back wash tank • Construction of 300m³ elevated Pressed steel tanks at Angorom • Construction of 300m³ elevated Pressed steel tanks at Chakol The Alupe Dam Water Supply and Sanitation project is being undertaken by the Government of Kenya through the implementing agency of Lake Victoria North Water Works Development Agency with the first phase set to cost approximately KSh470 million (around $3.6m). At the groundbreaking ceremony, President William Ruto said the reconstruction of the Alupe Dam will enhance access to clean water, improve public health and support economic growth through better water infrastructure and last-mile connectivity. Other water projects in the pipeline in Kenya This week, the Department also launched the Nzoia Floods Control project in Budalangi, Busia County to extend a secondary dyke. The 3.4 km dyke project for the River Nzoia Floods Control project, which was set to start this month, will mitigate the lake backflow menace preventing flooding of arable farms. “The dyke will protect schools, trading centres, shopping centres, churches and fish bandas from lake backflow,” the Department said. Also this week, Principal Secretary in the State Department for Irrigation Kenya Ephantus Kimotho inspected the Navakholo Irrigation Development project that will benefit Bunyala East, Bunyala Central and Bunyala Central wards of Navakholo Constituency of Kakamega County. “The project which is at 76.8% and is expected to be complete mid-2025 is expected to irrigate 1,000 acres of agricultural land benefitting farmers; 1,000 households directly and 5,000 households indirectly to enhance food security and improve income of farmers.” “After engagement with farmers who gathered at Kharanda Market we are very happy that the potential beneficiaries are already optimistic that irrigation project will unlock diverse economic activities from farm to market putting money in their pockets. “The farmers who are currently relying on rain-fed agriculture were happy about the project which will cushion them against climate change and create job opportunities along the food production and marketing value chain,” he said. |
