Sh 2.16b Muruny-Siyoi dam in West Pokot nears completion

PARKLEA  IVOR - KNA

The long-awaited Sh 2.16 billion Muruny-Siyoi Dam project in West Pokot County has reached 86.7 percent completion, raising hopes that residents will finally access reliable and safe water after years of delays that have seen the project miss several completion deadlines.

Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Eng. Eric Mugaa inspected the mul ti-billion-shilling project in Lelan Ward accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer Eng. Julius K. Mugun and Board Chairperson Dr. Jane Mwikali of the National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority (NWHSA), West Pokot County Deputy Governor Robert Komolle and Resident Engineer Tabitha Kimani amongst national administration representatives and other stakeholders.

The project, funded by the Government of Kenya through the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation and implemented by the National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority is now scheduled for completion in December 2026.

Once complete, the project is expected to supply clean and safe water to about 350,000 people by 2035, benefiting residents project as one of the flagship investments under the govern ment’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). an inspection tour at the construction site in Lelan Ward, West Pokot County.

“The Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda priori tises investments that strengthen agriculture, create jobs and uplift communities from the grassroots, and the Siyoi Muruny Dam is a clear demonstration of this commitment,” Eng Mugaa said.

He noted that upon completion, the dam will store 8.9 billion cubic metres of water and will be supported by a modern treatment plant capable of purifying more than 38 million litres of water daily.

“The facility will provide clean and safe water for domestic use, irrigation, livestock watering and many other economic activities that will transform livelihoods in this region,” he said.

Eng Mugaa acknowledged the frustrations that residents have endured over the years due to the prolonged construction period but assured them that the government had renewed its commitment to completing the project.

“Many people had already given up hope that this project would ever be completed, but I want to assure them that we shall closely follow up and take the necessary measures to ensure it is finished,” he said.

The CS disclosed that the gov ernment allocated slightly over Sh1 billion to the project during the previous financial year and a further Sh1.16 billion in the current budget to accelerate the remaining works.

“I have been shown a very optimistic timeline. I have evaluated the plans, the equip ment available on site and the remaining work, especially the approximately 15-metre gap that still requires completion.

The contractor must deploy more resources if these timelines are to be achieved,” Eng Mugaa said. Eng Mugaa said the govern ment is increasingly investing in water harvesting infrastructure due to changing climate patterns.

“Climate patterns have changed drastically over recent years, resulting in unpredicta ble rainfall. We therefore have a responsibility to harvest and conserve water to support irri gated agriculture and guarantee water security for our people,” he said

. NWHSA Chief Executive Officer Eng. Julius Mugun said the national government remained fully committed to ensuring the project is completed within the revised timelines.

“The President has prioritised this project and demonstrated that commitment by ensuring adequate funding is allocated to fast-track its completion,” said Eng Mugun.