Water agency aims to implement Sh140b plan

An aerial View of Kariminu II Dam in Gatundu, Kiambu County. [Gitau Wanyoike, Standard]

In efforts to improve water supply while addressing perennial shortages in Murang'a, Kiambu and Nairobi counties, the Athi Water Works Development Agency (AWWDA) has embarked on ambitious multi-billion shilling dam projects.

The projects aim to ensure a steady and reliable water supply to residents of the three counties.

The water agency is planning to implement seven water projects in Kiambu and Murang'a counties at an estimated cost of over Sh140 billion.

In Murang'a, AWWDA is constructing phase II of the Northern Collector tunnel at a cost of Sh12 billion while Maragwa 4 dam is estimated to cost Sh35 billion.

In neighbouring Kiambu, five dams have been lined up for construction in order to meet the county's pressing water demand. The dams are Ndarugu II, Kamiti, Thiririka, Ruiru II and Gatamaiyu whose estimated cost is Sh73 billion.

To finance the projects, the agency is planning to source the funds from mixed financing and through private partnership programmes.

For a long time, residents in the two counties have cried foul that despite providing water to Nairobi, they are left struggling to access clean and sufficient water for domestic use.

Maragwa 4 dam is billed to be the biggest in the region, rivaling Thika dam popularly known as Ndakaini located in Gatanga constituency.

The proposed dam that is set to be constructed at the border of Kigumo and Kahuro sub-counties is designed to produce 180,000 cubic metres of water on a daily basis, that would be shared between Murang'a and Nairobi.

In February during his visit to Murang'a, President William Ruto said his government is working round the clock to implement the mega dam.

He said that the National Treasury will partner with various international donors to get the funds required to complete the project that will benefit residents of Kigumo, Kahuro, Kiharu and Maragua.

At the moment, some parts of Murang'a and Maragua are served by the recently built Maragua II dam, constructed at a cost of Sh800 million.

In Kiambu, AWWDA is facing hurdles in the construction of Ndarugu II dam which is estimated to cost Sh15 billion. The dam is touted as the second biggest in the county after the Sh24 billion Kariminu II dam.

The proposed dam is meant to provide water to the residents of Gatundu, Juja and Thika who were not included in the Kariminu II dam supply plan.

The mega dam was launched by former President Uhuru Kenyatta a few days to the 2022 General Election.

In March, last year, AWWDA officials and consultants were chased away by residents of Gatei, Mwimuto, Kanjuku, Watathi and Gathaiti during an abortive meeting to explain the scope of work and affected areas.

Project challenged

The locals from the villages where the dam is set to be built later moved to Thika Environment and Lands Court seeking its implementation halted.

In a petition, John Mwangi Kariuki, James Muchai, Willy Githua, Patrick Kariuki and 485 other affected land owners opposed the process of implementing the construction Ndarugu II dam project.

"We urge the government to consider putting up the dam in other areas to avert environmental degradation of Gatundu North that could affect our farming activities," said Ng'ang'a Muthua, a former Chania MCA.

In a further bid to quench thirsty residents of Thika and Githunguri, the government has announced plans to implement the Sh21 billion water and sanitation project in Kiambu county.

The project involves construction of Thika 3A dam at the confluence of River Thika and Kiama which will hold 14.6 billion litres of water.