Garsen:Tana River: Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eng Eric Mugaa has instructed contractors working on water dams in Tana River County to accelerate their efforts to complete projects before the El Ni±o rains begin, which could hinder progress.
According to Kenya News Agency, during the launch of the Extension of Konkona to Sheli village water supply project and the construction of Minjila dam in Garsen constituency, Mugaa emphasized the government‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¾¢s significant financial investment in the county’s dam construction as part of a broader water harvesting initiative.
The CS highlighted the county‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¾¢s vulnerability to flooding and loose soil, urging contractors to allocate more resources to ensure the completion of projects. This would allow for the harvesting of rainwater and help mitigate flooding. In Garsen, two dams are under construction, each costing Sh50 million, in Minjila and Shifa.
Mugaa stressed the urgency, noting the limited time available and the importance of completing projects before the rains. He called for an increase in workforce and resources to meet the weather-related deadlines, ensuring preparedness for El Ni±o.
In addition to dam construction, the government has allocated Sh100 million for building dikes around communities in Tana River to protect them from potential floods during the rainy season. Areas such as the lower Tana River, Garissa, and Wajir are particularly prone to flooding.
Garsen MP Ali Wario supported Mugaa’s call for swift project completion, emphasizing the need to break the flood-drought cycle by ensuring water availability through rainwater harvesting. He urged contractors to mobilize equipment promptly, highlighting the availability of funds to meet project deadlines.
Judith Mwamburi, a director at the Coast Water Works Development Agency, noted that their engineers are actively working on the ground to ensure projects are completed on schedule for community benefit. The agency oversees more than 10 ongoing projects in Tana River County.
