National Assembly Departmental Committee on Blue Economy, Water and Irrigation Chair Kagogo Bowen
The Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation has urgently requested parliament to appeal to the National Treasury to release the remaining Sh 2 billion to compensate and resettle persons at Mwache Multi-Murpose Dam project in Kinango constituency, bordering Kwale and Taita Taveta counties.
The project (Mwache Dam) which has already commenced is financed by world bank at a staggering amount of 32.9B shillings
Responding to a questions raised by the area lawmaker Gonzi Rai, Principal Secretary in the said Ministry Ephantus Kimani, disclosed that continuous community protests due to unsettled claims has disrupted the construction works and if it is not addressed, an estimated daily claims will stand at Kshs 8.2 million daily
However, the Ministry has already disbursed Ksh 509 million to National Land Commission to facilitate 441 project affected households out of 2340. As of July 26, 29224, the NLC had disbursed Ksh 258 million to 308 of the 441 Project Affected Persons listed
In addition, the construction of new schools is expected to begin in August, 2024 and take approximately eight months with a projected completion date of April 2025
“In the meantime, remedial measures are being implemented to mitigate environmental hazards such as dust and noise from the construction activities
The legislator had sought to know the status of the Mwache Dam Project including progress reports and any challenges encountered by the relevant ministry
He also wanted the ministry to clarify whether the resettlement action plan was implemented to ensure the relocation of people affected by the said project and outline the provisions provided to the people for restoration of their livelihoods
The MP, who said that residents have been hard on him sought the help of the National Assembly Committee on Blue Economy, Water and Irrigation Committee for the Ministry to explain why the schools located near Mwache Dam construction where learning is disrupted by dust, noise and other impacts due to constructions
Kinango MP Gonzi Rai during National Assembly Committee on Blue Economy, Water and Irrigation session