Gatundu residents to get tap water thanks to Sh800m Theta dam

Theta dam in Gatundu South constituency. It has been under construction for the past four years. [Fidelis Kabunyi, Standard]

The construction of Sh800 million Theta Dam in President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Gatundu South Constituency has been completed.

The project will benefit residents and those in the neighbouring constituencies especially during this period when water is needed in plenty.

Since the outbreak of Covid-19 there have been rallying calls for proper hand hygiene.

The dam will serve Gatundu South and Githunguri constituencies.

Theta Dam, which has been under construction for the last four years, will provide water for domestic use to thousands of residents who have put up with water shortage for long. President Kenyatta launched the project in 2016. 

According to Gatundu Water and Sanitation Company Managing Director Patrick Mwangi, the piping of water from the dam to Githunguri is now in its final stages.

“The supply of water is for both domestic and irrigation. We are working day and night to connect Kigumo, Kibichoi, Komothai, Gathugu and other parts in Githunguri Constituency,” he said.

According to Isaac Gitango, a resident, the initiative is a relief for residents of Gachika, Mundoro, Kiamuoria, Gitare and Muhuhu, who relied on water from Ng’ethu Water Company in Gatundu North Constituency.

Families fetched water from rivers using jerricans for home consumption.

Environment lawyer and specialist Kiarie Kamere said the project was a key milestone in provision of water in the region as residents were forced to walk long distances in search of the commodity.

“This dam is a great blessing to the residents; it has a two million cubic metres capacity and with the ongoing rains, water shortage will be a thing of the past here. People can irrigate their farms,” said Kamere.

The dam, which is at Kinale Forest, was funded by the government through the Athi Water Services Board.

The project included construction of a 17-metre high compacted earth fill dam, construction of a reinforced concrete spillway and laying of a 3.5 kilometre steel pipeline of 500mm diametre up to the Mundoro Forest edge.

Residents have also benefited from good road network to the dam.

Roads in the expansive Gatundu South Constituency have been carpeted or are undergoing carpeting, including those in remote areas. The roads not only connect to the dam, but to major towns in the constituency from Gatitu through Muhuhu to Mundoro.

Michael Kariuki, a farmer, said transportation of avocados and jungle nuts to the market has become cheaper due to the improved roads.