Nandi residents accused of blocking bid to avert floods
What you need to know:
- Governor Jack Ranguma on Tuesday said his administration and the Nandi County Government had planned to build a dam to avert floods and generate electricity.
- The dam would be built along the Nandi escarpment to reduce the flow of water into Nyando River, which has now burst its banks and swept away many residents.
- He said his government had written to Environment Cabinet Secretary Judy Wakhungu seeking help to survey the regions.
Unwillingness by Nandi residents to donate land to build a dam has hampered efforts to fight floods in Kisumu County.
The floods have over the years killed hundreds of people and displaced many families.
Governor Jack Ranguma on Tuesday said his administration and the Nandi County Government had planned to build a dam to avert floods and generate electricity.
“The Nandi County Government is keen to be involved in the project but the residents are unwilling to give up land for the dam. Efforts to make them cooperate on the project is proving difficult,” Mr Ranguma told a press conference yesterday.
The dam would be built along the Nandi escarpment to reduce the flow of water into Nyando River, which has now burst its banks and swept away many residents.
“Other than controlling floods, the project is expected to bring electricity to Nandi. However, the Nandi people feel we will benefit more from the economic activities that will arise, including irrigation,” said the governor.
Contacted, Nandi Deputy Governor Dominic Biwott said Governor Cleophas Lagat was better placed to give more information on the planned dam.
“I am not privy to all the information about the agreement on the dam construction,” he said.
However, Dr Lagat could not be reached on his phone by the time of going to press.
Mr Ranguma said the county was receiving more rains this compared to the past. He said the rains were causing havoc in many areas, including Muhoroni, Nyakach, Kisumu East and Kabonyo.
The governor said they had opened waterways in some areas to ensure rainwater flowed smoothly. He said others were unreachable since they are marshy.
He said his government had written to Environment Cabinet Secretary Judy Wakhungu seeking help to survey the regions.
“Some regions need piping to divert excess waters. This role is supposed to be played by the national government,” he said.
“We will have better ways of dealing with the menace once we conclude our talks with Prof Wakhungu,” said Mr Ranguma.
