Water CS Sicily Kariuki [Photo: Athi Water Works]
The construction of the 24 billion shillings – Karimenu II dam is almost complete.
Speaking while assessing the progress of works of the project in Gatundu North – Kiambu County, Water, Sanitation and Irrigation CS Sicily Kariuki, said the construction of the dam is in its last phase.
According to the CS, the dam which hopes to serve one million people, is among the 600 water dam projects that the National Government is putting up across the country.
“I am pleased with the project progress since my last visit in 2021.” Said CS Kariuki.
The Karimenu II Dam which is located 75 Kilometres north of Nairobi and constructed along Karimenu River, is expected to boost access to water for locals in Kiambu County and its environs.
The works on the dam which began in 2019, is set for completion in March 2022 just before President Uhuru Kenyatta leaves office.
Upon its completion, the Karimenu II Dam which will have a height of 59 metres will supply an estimated 70 million litres of water on a daily basis for irrigation and domestic use.
The project is being implemented through a joint venture between International Holding Corporation and the Shanghai Municipal Engineering Design Institute.
The 26,540,000 cubic meter-dam was to be completed by December 2020, according to a deal signed by the stakeholders in May 2017.
In August 2020 locals in Kiambu who were yet to receive compensation for their ancestral land, accused the government of encroaching on their land and beginning excavation works without their consent.
The issues were however later resolved.
Currently, the government is constructing Ruiru II Dam located in Githunguri, plans are underway to develop Maragua IV Dam in Murang’a County and the Ndarugu II Dam which will draw water from Ndarugo River at the border of Kiambu and Machakos counties, among other dam projects.