Leaders divided over planned Sh50bn dam

Nandi County executive for Land Mr John Chumo. Saw millers in Nandi County have lost over Sh100 million since the government imposed a logging ban in the country’s public forests. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The dam is expected to generate 40 megawatts of electricity and supply water for irrigation to the southern part of Nandi South, Nyando and Kisumu County.
  • Leader of the Minority Eliud Kirongo said the county government would also raise revenue by selling electricity to the national grid.

A plan by the central government to build a Sh50 billion multi-purpose dam in Nandi South Forest has split county leaders.

Nandi County executive for Lands, Water and Natural Resources John Chumo and Aldai MP Cornelius Serem are resisting the building of the dam in the forest, saying it should be located in Lessos in Nandi East District.

They said the project would hive off 3,000 hectares of the 20,000-hectare Nandi South Forest.

The dam is expected to generate 40 megawatts of electricity and supply water for irrigation to the southern part of Nandi South, Nyando and Kisumu County.

Dr Chumo said top officials of the national government had been holding meetings without consulting county leaders and had allegedly vowed the project would go on with or without the blessing of the local community.

But Wednesday, some Members of the County Assembly led said the project would create jobs and improve infrastructure.

Leader of the Minority Eliud Kirongo said the county government would also raise revenue by selling electricity to the national grid.

“The project will change the lives of the local community and create more than 3,000 jobs for youth. It will bring a five-star hotel and an airstrip to the region, boosting tourism in the county,” said Mr Kirongo.

Residents led by Mr Sammy Kilach said detractors of the project did not have the interests of the community at heart and appealed to the national government to go ahead and build the dam.