Water CS pledges to ensure timely completion of Kitui’s Umaa Damm

DENSON MUTUTO- KNA

Water and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eng Eric Mugaa has underlined the Government commitment to complete the Umaa Dam Water Project in Kitui whose construction stalled years ago.

Eng Mugaa, who was speaking during an inspection tour of the dam and assessment of the implementation progress of the project which is currently at 73.4 per cent, vowed to ensure that the construction of the dam will never stall again.

“The contractor does not have any excuse to delay the works since we have paid for all the works done and we are keen to ensure continuous funding for the project to be complete as scheduled,” Eng Mugaa said.

The CS added that continuous assessment and monitoring of the project is paramount to ensure all challenges are ironed out so that the project does not stall again and mistakes made in the past are not repeated.

He pointed out that with availability of funds, the contractor should not have any excuse for extension of time as this leads to increased project costs and other associated inconveniences.

During the tour, Eng Mugaa noted that the progress of the works is on course with the coffer dam having been completed while grouting work is on-going smoothly. 

The CS consequently urged the National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority, which is the implementing agency to utilize the on-going short rains by planting trees along the water catchment area of the dam to ensure sustainable environmental conservation.

The Sh1.9-billion project which is located along the River Nzeu in Kitui County has a capacity of 1.2 billion liters of water with a supply output of 2, 650,000 litres per day to serve 75,000 people in Kitui County.

The construction of the dam project started in 2009 but stalled for over ten years due to a dispute between the contractor and National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority.

The dispute led to a court case which finally ended up in arbitration where the two parties were advised to reach an agreement and terminate the contract to pave the way for a new contractor.

The contract was terminated after the first contractor had done works up to 68 per cent at a cost of Sh566 million.

The ongoing works are being undertaken by a new contractor, the China Jiangxi International at a cost of Sh1.9 billion and the project will be complete in two years’ time (2026).

Umaa dam is one of the Vision 2030 flagship projects aimed at improving water supply for domestic use and irrigation within Kitui County which is semi-arid.

 The project supports the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) under which water is a key enabler to the pillars of the economic blueprint.

Eng. Mugaa had earlier paid a courtesy call to Kitui Governor Dr. Julius Malombe and pointed out that water is a shared function between the national and the county governments and called for collaboration to ensure increased access and minimal losses due to non- revenue water.

The CS added that the Ministry has established an inter-governmental framework of engagement by the two levels of governments.

Governor Malombe thanked the CS and the national government for their support in re-initiating the construction of the water project.

The County boss added that once construction of the Umaa Dam is complete, it will create more business opportunities for the people of Kitui and improve their livelihoods.

The CS was accompanied by the Secretary for Administration in the Irrigation State Department Mr. Kipkemei Yatich, the Water Authority’s Board of Directors Benjamin Mwololo, Rogers Chepkwony', Symon Mwihaki and the Acting CEO Eng. Julius Mugun.