Baringo: The construction of the approximately Sh3 billion Kirandich Dam Phase Two water project in Baringo County, which had stalled for seven years, has commenced in earnest. The project includes the development of sewerage and water treatment facilities for Kabarnet town, enlargement of the dam spillway, protection of the reservoir from siltation through the construction of check dams, and water supply for Kabarnet and the neighboring Kabartonjo town.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Kirandich project is being implemented with funding from the Italian government in cooperation with the government of Kenya and undertaken by the Cospin company. During a field verification visit, Alfred Diru, Secretary in the office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, stated that upon completion, the project will provide approximately 60,000 people in Baringo Central and Baringo North Sub Counties with access to potable water supply and enable an additional 20,000 people to access sanitation services within Kabarnet town's Central Business District.
Diru, accompanied by Central Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency Manager Kutol Cherutich and Baringo Central Deputy County Commissioner Henry Tiya, noted that the current phase, which commenced in 2023, includes the construction of the Kasoiyo-Kituro, Kasoiyo-Kaptorokwo, and Kabarnet-Kabartonjo pipelines. He reported that the project's overall progress is currently at approximately 26.79 percent and stressed the need for continued efforts to ensure the project, which has stalled since 2017, is completed without further delays.
The contractor has excavated a total of 22,102 meters of pipeline in Kasoiyo, Kituro, and Kaptorokwo and constructed six water tanks at several pumping stations within the coverage area. Additionally, ten gabion dykes are being established to reduce siltation, and expansion works will see one side of the dam excavated to increase water volume to sustain the growing population.
Plans are in place to lay solar panels to generate up to 800 megawatts of energy to reduce the high electricity bills of Sh4 million per month incurred from pumping water to the main storage tanks. Deputy County Commissioner Tiya expressed optimism that the project will be completed on time to benefit residents in need of water for domestic, animal, and agricultural use.