1.2 million cubic meter Yamo dam in Maralal nears completion

At least 64,000 households in Maralal town and its environments in Samburu County will soon have access to clean and safe water as the construction of Yamo dam nears completion.

Phase one of the dam which has a capacity to hold 1.2 million cubic meters of water is complete.

The dam will be served by two seasons of normal average rainfalls that have been happening in the county.

The project which is being implemented by the Northern Water Works Development Agency at a cost of just below Sh1.4 billion is expected to serve the immediate township up to 2038 and beyond.

Speaking after an inspection tour of the project, Water and Irrigation Principal Secretary Kiprono Paul said that the dam has an output of about 6000 cubic meters per day which will be sufficient for the Maralal town residents.

"The second phase of construction will include construction of a treatment plant which requires Sh1.5 billion which the government will allocate in the next budget so that this project can be completed," Kiprono said.

"Together with the county government, we will also map all other water projects in the county and give priority in budget allocation in the coming years," he added.

The PS further assured the country that the government has come up with comprehensive plans for water conservation through a sustainable model by constructing 100 mega dams, construction of more little dams and drilling of boreholes in the country.

"From the weatherman, there is an indication that this rain will not last long and as a government, we have put measures to ensure that we store this water for use especially during dry seasons," the PS said.

Samburu Governor Jonathan Leleliit on his part said that the main challenge to access to clean water is getting a safe water source which can be piped to the residents.

"We thank the government for choosing to host the world water Day here. There have been water challenges in this county and we hope this day brings brighter days ahead in terms of provision and access to clean water by the people of Samburu," Leleliit said.

Samburu West MP Naisula Lesuuda said that less than five per cent of the residents in Samburu County are connected to clean and safe water and that a lot needs to be done to improve the situation.

Lesuuda urged the ministry of water to adopt the last mile electricity connectivity programme used to connect households to power to make sure that every home is connected to water.

"The same way we did the last mile connectivity to power, we need water connectivity which is clean and safe for every household in the country," Lesuuda said.

"We need to put more resources and walk the talk, so that we make sure that all women get access to water" she added.

Lesuuda further lamented about delayed water projects which according to her, there is no return on investment on the projects.

This year's World Water Day was marked in Samburu County under the theme 'accelerating the change to solve the water and sanitation crisis'.