𝐊𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐃𝐚𝐦, 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐨 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲.
𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟑𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑.
The National Assembly Committee on Blue Economy, Water and Irrigation has expressed concerns over what it termed as the slow-paced construction of the Sh2.1 billion Kirandich dam in Baringo County.
Led by its Chairperson Hon. Kagongo Bowen, Members who visited the project which is in the second phase of construction, were angered by delayed works that are being undertaken by the Italian construction Company.
The Committee was disappointed that despite the government paying the contractor Kshs.271 million, nothing was going on and called the contractor to expedite the construction of the project.
“As a Committee after conducting a fact-finding tour of the project, we want to express our dissatisfaction with the slow pace the project that is supposed to serve residents is taking off,” said the chairperson.
He pointed out that the project has stalled for more than seven years and plans to revive it had given hope to the residents.
“The government has granted the contractor three extensions before and we cannot allow the project to delay anymore,” he added.
The Chairperson noted that construction works on the project resumed after President Dr. William Ruto negotiated for funding during his visit to Italy.
“The president has interests of the local people who rely on the project at heart and that is why he went out of his way to travel to Italy to negotiate for resumption of funding of the project by the Italian government,” he added.
He asked the contractor not to waste the President’s efforts through delayed construction of the project.
The Committee rooted for the installation of solar power systems as an alternative to electricity to cut down on costs.
This is after the Committee was told that the Baringo county government was spending more than Kshs.6 million to pay for electricity for the supply of water against Kshs.1 million collected as revenue.
The contractor assured the Committee that the project would be completed in 18 months.
The Committee that was touring water projects under the Central Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency also paid a courtesy call to the Baringo Governor H.E Benjamin Cheboi.
Other water projects that were toured by the Committee included the Perekera Irrigation Scheme and Chemususu Dam Water Supply.
Members on the tour included; Hon. Charity Kathambi Chepkwony, Hon. George Gachagua, Hon. Amina Mnyazi, Hon Musa Sirma and Hon. Reuben Kiborek.