Sh10 billion dam causes uproar from Isiolo County residents

By Ali Abdi

Isiolo, Kenya: A mega dam to be constructed on Ewaso Ng’iro River in Isiolo County by the National Water Conservation and Pipeline Corporation has caused uproar from residents.

At a charged meeting between the corporation officials and stakeholders from Isiolo, the residents said they had not been informed of the project during the daylong forum on Monday.

They now want the corporation to convene a stakeholders meeting to deliberate on the matter and an independent Environmental Impact Assessment carried out.

The twin dams to cost Sh10 billion will be set up at Crocodile Jaws and Ngerendare and its principally meant to provide water to the proposed Isiolo resort city, to be set up at Kipsing Gap.

The resort is part of the Government’s Vision 2030 blueprint which aims to transform Kenya into a middle income country by 2030. Resort cities are flagship projects under the tourism sector.

The corporation Managing Director, Petronilla Ogut urged the stakeholders to take into account the biting water shortage in Isiolo town and its environs during their discussions on the matter.

“The development of the dam would provide adequate water leading to the transformation of Isiolo town and the resort city which is a key project under the Kenya Vision 2030,’’ said Ogut in a speech read by Benjamin Kiema, an engineer from the corporation.

Stormed out

Isiolo town is currently served by Isiolo Water and Sewerage Company that has capacity to serve a population of 15,000 people against 40,000.

“We urge you as the stakeholders to support and own the project and look at it from an informed point of view for successful implementation,’’ the MD continued adding the water would also be used for irrigation.

Isiolo deputy Governor Mohamed Guleid took a different position from members of the County Assembly in wards from Garba-Tulla and Merti saying the construction of the dam was critical for the success of the resort city project

‘‘We can sit with the corporation and iron out the small problems. Apart from the resort city project, the dam will address current water challenges in the county,’’ said Mr Guleid.

Ward representatives Abdi Sora (Garba-Tulla), Ali Galgalo (Chari) and Nura Diba (Sericho) who represent three key livestock keeping and farming areas stormed out of the meeting saying the county government was not involved during the inception project.

Mr Sora, said the implementation of the project will affect the livelihood of pastoralist communities and farmers relying on irrigation scheme adding that it should be halted