Japan earmarks Sh309m for dam project

By Peter Atsiaya

Japan will spend Sh309 million to construct dams in a bid to control flooding in Nyando District.

Nyando MP Fred Outa said the money would be channeled through the Japan International Cooperation Agency - JICA.

Mr Outa said water stored in the dams would be used for irrigation and domestic purposes.

"The perennial floods have led to crop failure. The dams would give residents a lifeline," said Outa.

He added more than 20,000 people face starvation due to drought.

He added rice farmers would benefit from the irrigation programme. Outa added residents would also diversify from sugarcane and rice farming to food crops such as vegetables, tomatoes, maize and beans.

Area study

He added JICA experts had done a study in the area ahead of the dam construction. "The experts report would outline how many dams would be set up," he added.

The MP told The Standard that the Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) committee members would monitor the projects to ensure accountability.

The MP said President Kibaki, Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Japan Ambassador to Kenya Shigeo Iwatani had confirmed the construction of the dams were among projects Japan was funding.