State plans to revive stalled Sh34b Itare dam

Officials inspect works at Itare Dam in Kuresoi North, Nakuru, yesterday. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

The government is exploring options to avert total loss of funds channeled into the stalled Sh34 billion Itare dam project in Ndoinet, Nakuru County.

Cluster five of the National Development Implementation Committee comprising Principal Secretaries from different ministries toured the project yesterday, two years after its construction ground to a halt.

Led by Tourism PS Safina Kwekwe, the State officials said the government was committed to ensuring taxpayers do not suffer loss.

“We have seen the extent to which the project has been done and the challenges that faced it since its inception. The government intends to find a way out for the project to be beneficial to Kenyans,” Kwekwe said.

Stalled Itare Dam project in Kuresoi North [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

Other PSs present were Peter Tum (Labour), Peter Kirimi (Mining) and Simon Nabukwesi (University Education) and Deputy Head of Public Service Wanyama Musyambo.

They assessed other national government projects including tarmacking of Mauche-Bombo-Olenguruone Road and Ngala Special School.

Among the options the government has on Itare dam include use of a financial guarantee to source funds for the resumption of its construction.

Already, Sh27 billion had been released to the contractor but there is very little to show, three years after the deal was signed.