This archive report was first published on 6 September 2019.
On September 2, 2019, the Karai dam in Nyandarua County burst its banks, causing damage to the surrounding area. The National Irrigation Board (NIB) has since assured that the construction works and repairs of the Karai water pan will continue.
According to Chief Engineer Charles Mwasia, the works on the dam were at 90 percent completion and will resume once the rains subside. The contractor is still on site, and the project is expected to be completed before being handed over to the community.
"The water pan is what was excavated and not the soil residues that was acting as the banks of the water pan," Chief Engineer Mwasia explained, adding that the contractor had not been paid for the works and would need to deliver what was envisaged before money is released.
Nyandarua County Commissioner Boaz Cherutich, who led a team of experts and administrators in assessing the damage, regretted the incident and stated that legal redress was being sought to ensure value for money.
The project was temporarily stopped until the chief engineer submits the Environmental Impact Assessment and plans for approval and further consultations.
