Gathungu flags major delays in multibillion shilling dam projects

National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority has come under scrutiny after Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu flagged significant delays in the implementation of multi-billion-shilling dam projects.

In her report on the authority's accounts for the financial year ended June 30, 2025, Gathungu raised concerns over the slow progress of the dams.

At the heart of the audit queries is the Sh19.99 billion Soin-Koru dam water project in Kericho and Kisumu counties.

The Umaa dam in Kitui has also been flagged, with the auditor warning that the setbacks could deny the targeted communities the intended benefits.

She further said that there may be no value for money for the billions of shillings committed to the projects.

The audit has cast doubt on the pace at which the government is pursuing the water storage agenda.

The authority itself listed the dams among flagship projects expected to boost water security, irrigation and flood control across the country.

For Koru-Soin, according to the report, the authority signed a contract with a joint venture contractor on May 11, 2022, with an expected completion date of August 27 next year.

However, a review by auditors found little meaningful progress on the ground.

“The contractor is not on site,” Gathungu said, adding that several critical components of the project had either not commenced or remained incomplete.

Among the works yet to begin were excavation activities, seepage control systems, grouting, diaphragm walls, relief wells and laboratory testing.

Construction of the planned 54-metre-high zoned earth-rock fill dam had also not started.

The audit further established that intake towers, diversion culverts, road infrastructure, water abstraction facilities, hydropower-related works, access bridges, security installations and river training activities had not been undertaken.

The only notable progress was on the side-channel spillway, which auditors estimated to be about 15 per cent complete.

The findings raise fresh questions about the fate of one of the largest water storage projects, which is expected to support irrigation, domestic water supply and power generation in the Lake Victoria region.

On the Sh1.96 billion Umaa dam which has also been flagged over slow implementation, the contract was awarded in December 2023.

It was handed to a joint venture between Vanqo Roads and Engineering Ltd and a Chinese firm, with completion expected by January 2.

Although the project has attracted substantial public investment, the audit found that progress remained below expectations.

Records show that the authority had already paid Sh284.7 million, while additional certified claims worth Sh548.5 million were yet to be settled.

A physical inspection conducted in November last year revealed that while the contractor was present on site, no active construction work was underway.

Consultants were also absent during the audit visit, the report shows.

The audit said that some components, including the downstream cofferdam, grouting works, pressure tests, inlet chambers and trenches, had been completed.

However, major elements such as rehabilitation of the previous water treatment plant, construction of the sedimentation basin, installation of an elevated water tank, completion of the spillway and fencing of the project site had not been undertaken.

Auditors further warned that pipes procured by a previous contractor had been left exposed to direct sunlight and risked deterioration.

Overall, the project was estimated to be only 57 per cent complete.

“In the circumstances, delays in the project implementation may hinder the timely realisation of the intended benefits to the community,” Gathungu said.

The concerns over the dams come against the backdrop of unresolved audit issues that the authority has carried forward from previous financial years.

Several longstanding audit concerns, including land without title deeds, uncollected rental revenue, arbitration claims arising from the Peace Dam contract, irregular board composition and the slow implementation of the Umaa dam project remained unresolved.

The report says failure to address the issues contravenes a National Treasury directive requiring government entities to clear all audit queries raised in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 financial years.

Ironically, the authority's own leadership has continued to cite the dams as among its key achievements and priorities.

In the report, the board said there had been ‘good progress’ on the Muruny (Siyoi) dam project and continued implementation of the Umaa dam project.

It also identified Umaa, Soin-Koru and Muruny (Siyoi) among dam projects earmarked for continued funding.