Yamo Dam to quench water shortage in Samburu County
Over 64,000 families in Maralal, Samburu county and its surrounding will quench their thirst after the completion of Yako Dam which’s one of the major water projects in the county.
The construction is being implemented by the Northern Water Works Development agency is costing KES 1.4 billion and it’s estimated to serve Samburu County for at least two decades as the agency will be on the run to identify other areas.
Speaking to NTV after an inspection tour of the project, Water and Irrigation Principal Secretary Dr. Kiprono Paul said that the dam has an output of about 6000 cubic meters per day which will be serve several parts in the vast county.
“The phase one construction works of the dam are complete and the second phase will include construction of a treatment plant which requires KES 1.5 billion that the government will allocate in the next budget to ensure this project is completed,” Kiprono said. “Together with the county government, we will also map all other water projects in the county and give priorities to which a budget will be allocated in the coming years,” he added.
Kiprono ascertained Kenyans that the government is moving around the clock and come up with comprehensive plans for water conservation going forward through a sustainable model by constructing 100 mega dams, constructing more little dams, and drilling 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 accessing clean water is getting a safe water source that 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 5 percent 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 program 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 to 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.
The outspoken MP further lamented about delayed water projects which according to her, have no return of investment.
This year’s World Water Day was marked in Samburu County and themed ‘accelerating change to solve the water and sanitation crisis’.