Construction of Nzoia Dam to begin

Last Updated 14 years ago by Kenya Engineer

Construction works for the Nzoia dam are set to begin after a long time of controversy rising from the evictions so as to pave way for the construction of the dam along the river Nzoia. The project is to begin in six months if all matters of controversy are resolved within this period of time. The leaders in affected areas however are said to have come to an agreement with the National Water and Pipeline Corporation (NWPC) and have endorsed the project.

The dam to be funded by the Government of Kenya is estimated to cost Sh10 billion but the exact cost of the dam will be fully established after the design is complete. The initial plan was to build a major dam of capacity of 985 million cubic litres in Tongaren division but this could change depending on the site identified. According to the leaders in the region, 60,000 people would be displaced by the major dam. They then advocate that the dam be built in phases of mini-dams along the river Nzoia in different constituencies which will reduce the number of people relocated at once.

The project whose main aim is flood control will benefit the 1.2milion people affected by perennial floods in Budalang’i.A power station will also be built in the area and is expected to add 20 megawatts of electricity to the national grid. It will also be used for irrigation, water supply, inland fishing and serve as a recreational site. The dam is expected to bring economic prosperity to the people in the western Kenya region.

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