- Isiolo county has been facing water scarcity issues that have affected both human beings and animals
- The Crocodile Jaw dam will increase daily water supply for both domestic and industrial
Image: ICG
Isiolo county is planning to construct a Sh30.9 billion dam to address water challenges in the county.
Isiolo Governor Abdi Hassan Guyo told the Star the dam dubbed 'Crocodile jaw', will provide a permanent solution to the problem.
He said the dam is projected to hold a water capacity of 315 million cubic metres.
Guyo said approximately 8,000 jobs will be created both directly and indirectly by the project.
He said over 85 percent of workforce required for the construction of the dam project will be sourced from the local community.
"The project when completed will be a lifesaver. Isiolo is quickly transitioning into an economic hub and the Crocodile Jaw Dam is one of the super mega projects," Guyo said.
Isiolo county has been facing water scarcity issues that have affected both human beings and animals.
A plan to construct a mega dam near to Ewaso Ng’iro River by the National Water Conservation did not happen.
The Crocodile Jaw dam will increase daily water supply for both domestic and industrial use by 58,473 cubic meters and 46,656 cubic meters for irrigation.
The National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority will be the implementing Agency of the project.
Isiolo Deputy Governor James Lowasa said the provision of clean, safe and sustainable water for all residents is at the centre of the current administration.
He also said time has come for the county to stop being dependent on neighboring counties for water.
"It is time we had our own permanent water sources as the people of Isiolo County," Lowasa said.
"We can not afford to continue relying on water from our neighbors especially with the on-going climate change and the growing population," he said.
The DG said the dam will assist in recharging ground water which has been depleted due to climate change.
He said this will reduce the cost of drilling boreholes in the county.
During a tour in Isiolo in May, President William Ruto pledged to fasten the construction of the proposed Isiolo dam in the Ewaso Ng’iro River.
The dam was identified by Kenya’s National Water Conservation and Pipeline Corporation as necessary.
Ruto said the Isiolo dam will improve locals' livelihoods by providing water for domestic and livestock use.
He said 500,000 livestock have been lost mainly in Eastern and North Eastern due to drought.
“We cannot continue losing livestock in Kenya because we are diminishing communities. This means we must invest enough resources to prevent the loss of such an amount of livestock and the equivalent amount we lose as a country,” Ruto said.
The Crocodile jaw dam is part of Kenya Kwanza government's plan to build 100 mega and 1,000 small dams across the country.
In December last year, Guyo said the process to make 290 acres available for irrigation was being finalized.
According to National Treasury, 193 irrigation projects granted Sh5.5 billion had stalled.
Guyo said he had set aside 290 acres for Malkadaka, Bulesa and Ngaremara irrigation schemes.