Standoff on irrigation dam project hurting residents

Lands, Water and Natural Resources, Nandi County Executive, Dr John Chumo, address the press during a past seminar held at Noble Hotel in Eldoret. Dr Chumo wants the irrigation project relocated to Lessos in Nandi East sub-county. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Standoff between environmentalists and the Lake Victoria North Water Development Authority stalled the construction of the dam.
  • Lands, Water and Natural Resources County Executive, Dr John Chumo, wants the project relocated to Lessos.
  • Destruction of the forest to pave way for construction of the dam will have negative impact.

Nandi residents have petitioned the county and national governments to speed up the implementation of a Sh50 billion water project expected to boost irrigation.

A standoff between environmentalists and the Lake Victoria North Water Development Authority stalled the construction of the dam in Nandi South forest three years ago.

Environmentalists argued that the project would lead to destruction of over 3,000 hectares of indigenous forest and displacement of rare wildlife species.

Lands, Water and Natural Resources County Executive, Dr John Chumo, wants the project relocated to Lessos in Nandi East sub-county.

“Destruction of the forest to pave way for construction of the dam will have negative impact on climate change and displacement of wildlife,” said Dr Chumo.