Mwaura: Construction of Sh19.9bn Koru-Soin dam priority for state

The government is seeking a permanent solution to the perennial floods that have caused several deaths and devastating effects across the country.

Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura said the government will prioritise the construction of dykes and the multipurpose Koru-Soin dam to control the floods in Nyando and other areas.

Mwaura assured that President William Ruto has emphasized that the Sh19.9 billion Koru-Soin dam was at the centre of his development agenda.

The dam had stalled due to inadequate funding and delayed payments to the contractor but he reassured the residents that the government had prioritised the funding of the project as a matter of priority.

The initial funding model of the dam which the national government was to fully foot the cost was untenable so they are now going the public-private partnership (PPP) way.

Mwauru revealed that the government had advertised for expression of interest for the construction of 100 dams through PPP across the country towards flood mitigation and boost food security.

However, he said only 35 have expressed interest and called on private partners to help in building the dam.

The spokesperson said the government is seeking a new financing model noting that the Koru-Soin dam will currently cost Sh25 billion, which cannot be funded through taxes due to a high debt burden.

He noted that the country was grappling with huge debts making it difficult to single-handedly build the dams.

"We inherited a country with huge debts that we must pay. We are soon paying Sh40 billion debts," Mwauru said.

The spokesperson who was accompanied by Kenya Red Cross Secretary General Idris Ahmed, Nyanza Regional Commissioner Flora Mworoa and Kisumu County Commissioner Benson Leparmarijo praised the partners for the multi-pronged approach in supporting flood victims.

Mwaura presided over the distribution of non-food items to those affected at Nduru mixed secondary school in Kabonyo Kanyagwal, Nyando subcounty.

He confirmed that 238 people have died so far as a result of the devastating floods while 70 are missing and 74 sustained serious injuries in the country.

Mwauru said that more than 240,000 have been affected by the floods in the country.

In the Nyanza region, more than 40,000 people have been displaced and are living in evacuation centres.

"This is why the national government has partnered with the Kenya Red Cross and Kisumu county government among others to provide the much-needed supply to the affected families," he said.

President Ruto, he said, has pledged to ensure those affected by the floods get a continuous supply of food and non-food items for sustainability.

"The government stand with flood victims and will ensure that no one dies of hunger. The president is keen to address the perennial menace once and for all," Mwaura said.

He disclosed that the government has received support of about Sh 1.4 billion from the United Nations, the UK government and other partners towards flood mitigation.

Mwauru attributed the massive floods and deaths to climate change due to the destruction of the environment, urging Kenyans to plant trees.

In Nyando especially Kabonyo Kanyagwal ward, homes are completely marooned and roads are completely damaged. More than five schools have been submerged.

More people have been affected after River Nyando broke its banks which caused massive flooding, displacing thousands of families.

Mwaura further warned that the government will not allow people back to riparian areas and this is the time to correct the existing mess.

Ahmed warned that the flood situation was likely to get worse before getting better, adding that those in flood-prone areas should move to safer grounds.

"Take your safety seriously. Do not wait to be evacuated instead of moving to higher and safer grounds," he said.

Ahmed said they will launch medical camps for flood victims, adding that more than 47,000 households have been affected.

"We are focusing on providing basic service and medication to those affected," he said.

Kisumu County Executive for Public Administration Judith Oluoch called for the construction of the Koru-Spin dam and dykes along river Nyando as a permanent solution.

"Our people want floods prevented through the building of the stalled dam. The flood situation in Kisumu is getting worse every day," Oluoch said.

She appealed to those living in flood areas to move to evacuation centres spread in the county. There are 30 rescue centres including churches and schools.

Oluoch said they have distributed food and non-food items to those affected and appealed for further support from well-wishers.