• Water Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki on Friday said the government has settled land issues.
• The dam will benefit Nyamira residents and those in the neighbouring Kisii county.
Water Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki on Friday said the construction of the Sh9 billion Bonyunyu Dam in Nyamira will start soon.
Kariuki said the national government has dealt with the controversies surrounding the project. It was suspended after landowners raised concerns about compensation.
The dam will serve residents of Nyamira and Kisii counties. Kariuki said compensation has been settled, adding that the government is looking for funds to start the project.
“The national government, through President Uhuru Kenyatta, has since settled issues that have been hampering construction of the dam, which will not only benefit Nyamira residents but also those in the neighbouring Kisii,” she said.
The CS said design works had been completed and assured residents that the government is keen to end water scarcity and improve their lives.
She spoke after inspecting water supply and sanitation systems in Kisii county ahead of the Mashujaa Day celebrations to be held in Gusii Stadium on October 10. Kariuki lauded the completion of Sh2.3 billion Kegati water project, adding it will be expanded to benefit more residents. Uhuru is expected to commission the project.
Kariuki was accompanied by Kisii Governor James Ongwae, Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency CEO George Adede, chairman Dan Omino and Gusii Water and Sanitation Company MD Osbon Nanga.
She noted that Kegati water project will produce 27,000 litres of water per day.
“The sewerage and sanitation coverage is as low as 50 per cent. The water regulator and my Ministry will assess and unlock the projects,” Kariuki said.
On the request by Governor Ongwae over the fast-tracking of Mokubo Dam in Bomachoge Borabu constituency, Kariuki promised government support.
She also inspected Suneka sewerage system. She said the Austrian government has funded the Mokubo project at a cost of Sh800 million.
The CS said water coverage is 15 per cent and the President wants it expanded as a basic right to boost people’s socio-economic lives.
Ongwae said the county requires Sh100 million to pipe water to more residents of Keumbu Kiogoro, Nyakoe, Nyabururu, Suneka and beyond.
The governor also noted that the network for waste management is poor and the county needs Sh1.5 billion to upgrade it.
"I thank the national government and the water agency for supporting water projects in the county. I look forward to President Uhuru opening the Kegati water project during the celebrations," Ongwae said.