Locals vow to disrupt water pumping from Chemususu Dam

BY VINCENT MABATUK

Baringo,Kenya:The eagerly awaited pumping of water from Chemususu Dam in Koibatek hangs in the balance after locals threatened to move to court unless they are first provided with the water as promised five years ago.

In their list of targets aimed at paralyzing water distribution to about 6,000 people in Baringo County and parts of Nakuru include stopping the construction of treatment plant by the Rift Valley Water and Service Board.

Residents drawn from14 villages said they were promised free supply of water through gravity flow for communities living on the upper and lower side of the dam but the promise has not been kept.

Residents from Lembus Central Koibatek District staged a demonstration and accused the Ministry of Water and the National Water Service Board of failing to fulfill promises made to them prior to construction of the dam.

Led by their chairperson Tegla Chumba, they said unless their grievances are addressed they will disrupt the pumping of water from the dam and consequently disrupt the on-going constructions. 

“The residents appreciate the Government’s effort to invest in such a vital project, but they are discouraged that they may not benefit at all,” Chumba said.