The Standard Group Plc is a
multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper
print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The
Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key
influence in matters of national and international interest.
President William Ruto during the groundbreaking of Mwache multipurpose dam in Kwale County on April 6, 2023. [File, Standard]
The compensation of landowners affected by the Sh20 billion Mwache Dam, in Kwale County, will be cleared in the next financial year, Irrigation Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho has said.
The project is currently under 24-hour police security after the locals threatened to chase away the contractor to push the government to clear Sh2 billion compensation.
On Tuesday, Kimotho assured residents that the government would release Sh600 million this financial year for the Mwache Dam Project Affected Persons (PAPs).
He spoke during a project inspection tour in Kinango sub-county, accompanied by World Bank Global Water Practice Director Saroj Jah.
The government has so far paid Sh2.6 billion to the PAPs in line with the Resettlement Action Plan. The dam which is 15 per cent complete is funded by the World Bank and the government at a cost of more than Sh20 billion.
“The government will soon disburse Sh600 million, and the remaining balance of Sh2 billion will be cleared in the 2025/2026 financial year,” the PS said.
Kimotho said that the project was unique because it has a component for the restoration of livelihoods of PAPs before they are relocated. A total of Sh4.4 billion is required for land acquisition affecting at least 4,000 PAPs.
Once operational, the dam is expected to address Mombasa County’s water deficit, currently standing at about 75 per cent. It will also provide water to Kwale County.
The project once complete will ensure water security, build climate resilience, increase bulk water supply and increase access to water and sanitation in the coastal region.
The water will also be used for irrigation, with more than 6,000 acres of land expected to be put under irrigation for food production in Kwale County.
The project is designed to have a main dam, lower check dam and upper check dam. The main dam, with a height of 84 metres and a crest length of 526 metres, will have a capacity of 127 million cubic metres of water. It will harness water flow from the Mwache River basin for domestic water supply.
The lower check dam, already 68 per cent complete, is scheduled for completion by September 2025, while the entire project is expected to be fully operational by February 2027.
To accelerate construction, the constructor has commenced round-the-clock hauling of roller-compacted concrete, a critical phase that will continue uninterrupted for the next 18 months.
“The concreting has started, and that will continue without any stop, day and night. We are happy with the progress,” said PS Kimotho, reiterating the government’s commitment to ensure timely completion of the water security project.
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The PS noted that the dam has a water storage capacity of 136 million cubic meters, of which nine million will be dead storage.
“What will be fully utilised is 127 million cubic metres, but in terms of water usage per day, the dam would be giving us 186,000 cubic litres per day, and that is what will go to Mombasa County to address the water shortage deficit,” stated the PS.
To enhance food security, the 8.6 million cubic metre lower check dam will not only help in desilting, but irrigation through solar pumping.
Through the farmer-led irrigation development and Farmer Field Schools (FFS), 3,032 beneficiaries have been trained in good agricultural practices.
Jah said that the project should be a source of economic growth in the region through support of business and provision of skills to the PAPs.
“I have requested of the government that every 50 days there be a high level of monitoring so that all the milestones in the projects are fully implemented,” he said.
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The Standard Group Plc is a
multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper
print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The
Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key
influence in matters of national and international interest.
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