DP Ruto urges contractors to build quality dams

Deputy President William Ruto has asked contractors to comply with the accepted engineering safety standards while building dams to avert calamities.

Mr Ruto said dams failed in some parts of the country resulting into deaths and other losses due to poor workmanship.

He was addressing senior officials from the ministries of Water and Agriculture at his Karen home in Nairobi on Thursday.

“Safety measures should be addressed during construction of dams,” Mr Ruto said.

WATER HARVESTING
The DP at the same time hailed efforts by concerned departments to improve rainwater harvesting across the country.

Mr Ruto said the country is keen to improve its water harvesting capabilities and curb wastage.

The DP said building of water dams across the country remains key to empowering farmers and turning their dreams into realities as far as food production was concerned.

Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui (Water and Sanitation), Principal Secretaries Joseph Irungu (Irrigation) and Fred Segor (Water) were present.

Mr Segor said 141 small dams have been built across the country, saying 90 per cent of the dams are already full.

“These dams are being targeted to provide water for drinking and agriculture through irrigation,” Mr Segor said.

FULL DAMS
According to Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority Managing Director Steven Ruimuku, dams are constructed to have structures to avoid bursting.

Speaking with Nation on phone, Mr Ruimuku said bursting can be avoided by monitoring settlement and any movement of water in the dam. 

“These are the measures put by in all conventional dams. We have them in Masinga, Kiambere, Kindaruma and Gitaru. They protect and prevent bursting,” he said. 

In the North Rift, dams which supply water to many towns in the region are full and neighbouring families have been urged to move to safer grounds to avert looming disaster.

In Elgeyo Marakwet County, controversy rages over the safety of Chebara Dam that has claimed over 10 lives and several animals in the past four years.

In Kisii, residents and the government are still haggling over compensation arrangements, to allow for the construction of Sh5 billion Bonynyu dam to go on.

Reported by Benson Amadala, Elizabeth Ojina, Ruth Mbula, Barack Oduor, Elisha Otieno, Winnie Atieno, Wycliff Kipsang, Barnabas Bii,Irene Mugo, Charles Wanyoro and Ndung’u Gachane