Government orders faster work on Muruny Dam ahead of December deadline

Principal Secretary for Water and Sanitation Julius Korir urged the contractor to increase work shifts and undertake day-and-night operations where necessary to meet the deadline.

Korir said the project was critical and directed the contractor and project team to address any outstanding challenges, including cash-flow concerns, rather than allow them to delay completion.

The PS also asked the project team to take advantage of the ongoing rains to begin impounding water as construction progresses.

He said completion of the water treatment component would allow testing of the treatment works once the reservoir reaches the required water levels.

According to the National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority (NWHSA), the project is currently 87.4 per cent complete overall, with progress on the critical path at 90.8 per cent.

The cyclopean dam is 72.72 per cent complete, while the 11.2-kilometre raw water pipeline is 98.5 per cent complete.

Several major components have already been completed, including the 180-metre spillway, 182-metre twin diversion culvert, intake tower footbridge, 71-metre reservoir bridge and 15-metre spillway bridge.

Acting NWHSA Chief Executive Officer Julius Mugun reaffirmed the authority's commitment to accelerating the outstanding works to meet the December deadline.

The project, located in Lelan Ward, Pokot South Constituency, includes construction of a 30-metre-high dam with a storage capacity of 8.9 million cubic metres, as well as water treatment, storage and transmission infrastructure.

Once completed, the project is expected to provide domestic water to approximately 350,000 people in Kapenguria and surrounding areas, including Makutano, Paraywa, Kabichbich, Chepyomet, Kaibos, Siyoi, Chepararia, Pertum, Korelach, Kapkoris, Nasokal, Chewoyet, Keringet, Karas, Murkwijit and Kishaunet.

The latest directive comes as the government seeks to push the project through its remaining construction phase and bring the water supply infrastructure into operation before the end of the year.