Dam will transform lives, residents told

Residents of Kipsaiya in Elgeyo Marakwet county have been urged to allow the construction of Arror multipurpose dam to continue.

Residents of Kipsaiya in Elgeyo Marakwet county have been urged to allow the construction of Arror multipurpose dam to continue.

Addressing wananchi during a consultative meeting at Kipsaiya primary school over the weekend, Elgeyo Marakwet County Governor Alex Tolgos assured the residents that they would be compensated and all their interests addressed.

The county boss urged the residents to continue with their farm operations but allow the contractor to continue with the survey work assuring them that nobody will short-change them.

He said: “No body as asked you to stop cultivating your farms. You are free to carry any operations on your land for now. Kindly allow these people (contractors) to carry on with their work. Nobody is asking you to move away.”

The Governor said few issues raised by locals will be addressed by his office and the Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA) and assured them that they would be compensated adequately. “We have listened to your issues. Some are valid but they should not derail this project,” he added

Once complete, the dam according to the governor will create employment to thousands of youth and also improve crop production in Kerio Valley where more than 10,000 acres of land will be put under irrigation.

The Arror dam in Marakwet West is to be built together with a similar one in Kimwarer area in Keiyo South, which will cost Sh28 billion.

The Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA), through a joint venture between CMC di Ravena and Itenera of Italy with a loan from the Italian government, plans to implement the multi-purpose project to generate 60 megawatts of electricity to the national grid and enhance irrigated agriculture.

Devolution Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa asked KVDA to enter into more negotiations with the local residents especially those who have been opposing the project.

“These people should be listened. We need their goodwill. Please have more meetings with them in order to win them,” he said.

He asked the parastatal chief to reconstitute the project committee so that locals are included.

Deputy Governor Wisley Rotich said the dam once complete would transform the lives of local residents owing to its positive effects.

County Commissioner Abdulahi Galgalo blamed KVDA for the continued feud that has delayed the project for not making enough consultations with the affected residents.

Present included Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, Woman MP, MPs, County Speaker and MCA’s.