Bonyunyu Dam project costs increased from Sh6 billion to Sh9 billion

A defective water tank towers high above ballast breaker at a quarry in Nyamira county in Nyamaiya village on March 22, 2015. Multitudes of people who were supplied water via this tank in the region before quarry activities started have very little to smile about today since the state of the tank cannot hold the precious commodity anymore despite the worldwide celebration of water day. [Denish Ochieng, Standard]

The cost of constructing Bonyunyu Dam in Nyamira County has been increased from the initial 60 million euros (Sh6.6 billion) to 90 million euros (Sh9.9 billion).

The project was initially intended to benefit a few areas in Nyamira and leave out the larger Kisii region, but the additional funding means its scope and geographical coverage have increased.

"The project will now extend to more villages in Nyamira and also parts of Kisii that were initially left out in the project," said George Odede, the Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency chief executive.

Once completed, the dam is expected to serve more than 300,000 people. It will also be a much closer option for residents who have been walking long distances in search of water.

The dam had received funding from the Dutch government two years ago, but the project has been facing resistance from residents who want construction halted on the grounds that the water reservoir will affect downstream ecosystems.

There are also concerns that water volumes in rivers in the two counties are diminishing due to farming activities.

But Mr Odede told The Standard yesterday that donors were satisfied that the concerns raised by residents had been addressed, hence the additional funding.

"We have held a number of meetings with the community and agreed that the project should be implemented. The project will carry on as earlier designed," the CEO said.

He revealed that construction is expected to start by April this year once the fresh funds are approved and released by the Treasury.

The additional Sh3 billion, Odede said, was a loan hence the agency was required to seek the Treasury's approval.

Last year, Gusii Water and Sanitation Company Chief Executive Osborn Nanga said the dam project was on course and would proceed unhindered.

Feasibility studies

"Feasibility studies were done and we expect the project to start soon. This (the 60 million euros) is a grant and not a loan,” said Mr Nanga.

The CEO said a team of engineers from the water agency had visited the proposed site for the dam to finalise designs, adding that they would carry out fresh public participation in the new areas likely to be affected before implementation of the project.

"The plan is to boost water supply for thousands of residents in the two counties in the next three years. Once the project is completed, we expect to reduce the population in need of water by half," said Odede.