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To alleviate flooding in Nyando, the government intends to expedite the construction of the Soin-Koru Multi-Purpose Dam in Kisumu County.
The project, which has been in development for years, is high on the agenda of the government, according to ICT and the Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary (CS) Eliud Owalo, who also added that funds will be set aside in the budget to expedite the project.
He claimed that when the project concludes, the problem will be addressed once and for all. He expressed concern on behalf of the government for the fate of thousands of households that were affected by floods in Nyando.
Speaking to people who were displaced by floods at the Ombaka evacuation center in Nyando Sub-County, Mr. Owalo said that water will be abstracted from the River Nyando into the dam to lessen flooding farther downstream.
He continued by stating that the project will also be used to produce electricity as well as distribute water for agricultural and domestic purposes, boosting the area’s food security.
An Overview of the Soin-Koru Dam
The dam which was initially planned in the 1980s will be located 5 km upstream of river Nyando from Muhoroni town. It covers approximately 2,500 acres of land, equal to a total of 360 parcels of which 230 are in Kisumu county and 130 in Kericho county.
Soin-Koru Dam is proposed to be a zoned rock-fill dam with an impermeable clay core. With a water storage capacity of 93.7 million cubic meters, the dam will comprise a 54m dam embankment with a 1354m crest. The dam embankment will be constructed across Koitatui and Got Alila Hills.
As part of the Soin-Koru Multi-Purpose Dam project, a 72,000m3/day water treatment plant will also be constructed approximately 1km downstream of the dam wall. The project which is being funded by the World Bank in partnership with the government of Kenya will also involve the construction of a 2.5MW hydropower plant.
Significance of the project
The Koru-Soin multipurpose dam is designed to control flooding, supply water for domestic and industrial consumers in the city of Kisumu and the satellite towns of Ahero, Awasi, Muhoroni, and Koitaburot; supply the existing irrigation schemes of Ahero and West Kano; and, generate power at an associated hydropower plant.
Upon completion, the project is expected to provide 102 000 m3/day of water to a population of 1.71 million and to end water shortages in the neighboring counties of Kericho, Nandi, and Kisumu.
It will also act as a sediment trap, reducing sediment build-up downstream, which is the main cause of flooding, and ensure regulation of the river flow, thus providing water for irrigation all year round. The reservoir will also offer opportunities for fishing and water-based tourism activities. |
