Dangerous rivers to be mapped out for damming

The government is mapping out rivers prone to flooding during the ongoing heavy rains with a view to harness the water for agricultural use in the near future.

Water and Irrigation Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho said his department will build several dams and water pans along rivers prone to flooding including Rivers Athi and Tana to check the subsequent wastage of water, destruction of property and even loss of lives.

The exercise, he added, will also involve seasonal rivers which are currently flooded, where a series of water pans will be built while land reclamation through planting of trees will be done to control runoff water and reduce soil erosion.

The PS spoke after a meeting with residents of Maguguni in Thika Town constituency, Kiambu County over completion of the Sh400 million Ndumago Irrigation project which has stalled for over 10 years after it was vandalized.

Kimotho, accompanied by area MP Alice Ng’ang’a, Ministry officials and local leaders, said about 80 per cent of the project is already done and the remaining 20 per cent will cost Sh40 million to complete.

He divulged that the government has undertaken the construction of several dams and water pans for irrigation in other areas of Kiambu county including; Gatundu, Lari and Kikuyu sub counties.

Once operational, he said, the irrigation project is set to benefit 1,500 farmers from the semi-arid area and is expected to generate half a billion shillings from agricultural earnings.

Meanwhile, transportation between Kiambu and Machakos counties has been cut off after River Athi breached its banks and swept away the Ndunyu Sabuk Bridge last Thursday night.

The raging river also displaced hundreds of families in the neighbouring Kisiiki and Mukunike villages after flood water marooned their homes. The victims are camping at the nearby Kianjai Primary School grounds.