A Sh1.15 million project to desilt and rehabilitate the Ololo Dam in the Nairobi National Park’s southwestern area has been completed.
The I&M Foundation and Kenya Wildlife Service on Wednesday hosted a ceremony to mark the completion.
I&M Bank group executive director Sarit Shah said the Ololo Dam will provide a sustainable water supply in the park, sufficient to meet the needs of animals throughout the year.
“The project reaffirms our commitment to creating shared value in the communities we serve,” he said.
“It is in line with the Environmental Conservation pillar of our philanthropic arm, the I&M Foundation.”
He added that the rehabilitated dam will not only ensure a sustainable future for the various wildlife species but also safeguard the delicate ecological balance that is vital for the tourism economy and people.
KWS director general Erustus Kanga said it is important to engage the private sector in delivering on the national sustainability agenda.
“Previously, there were no existing water holes in the southwestern area, forcing wildlife to venture outside the park boundaries in search of water,” Kanga said.
“This raised great concern for the welfare of both man and wildlife, and we were thrilled when I&M Bank committed to helping us resolve this issue through the I&M Foundation’s financial support and keen follow-up.
“With a nationwide mandate to protect and develop our natural resources, the task before us is made more manageable with the involvement of external stakeholders, such as I&M Bank.”
Kanga said following a protracted drought in 2023, the previously seasonal waterhole dried up completely, giving rise to the threat of human-wildlife conflict as the animals sought water outside of the park.
It is then warden Olga Ercolano from KWS approached I&M Bank, which committed to financing the project through the I&M Foundation in alignment with the lender’s sustainability agenda, which includes preserving local ecosystems.
The undertaking commenced on September 12 last year, but technical challenges forced a halt in October.
Kanga said the project resumed in December and was successfully completed in January.
The 2022 'The Impacts of the Current Drought on Wildlife in Kenya' report by the KWS recorded significant mortality among various species due to food and water scarcity.
These species include over 500 wildebeest, 380 common zebras, 205 elephants, 49 Grevy’s zebras and 51 buffalos.
KWS noted that the drought greatly affected the park, depleting all nearby water sources for the animals in that year. In response, wildlife had to travel more than 15 kilometres in search of water.
The project was financed by the I&M Foundation, with Ganatra Plant & Equipment donating a JCB excavator to facilitate the exercise.
Altaf Ganatra, managing director at Ganatra Plant Limited, said the dam will provide commercial value by safeguarding the precious ecosystem, and also foster harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature.
