This archive report was first published on 6 January 2020.
Published on January 6, 2020, the county government of Nakuru is seeking the revival of the Itare Dam project, which has been stalled due to corruption allegations.
The project, launched four years ago, aimed to provide clean drinking water to over one million residents in Nakuru County. Deputy Governor Erick Korir stated that the dam was expected to produce nearly 100,000 cubic meters of water daily, serving the needs of the residents.
However, the project stalled after CMC Di Ravenna, an Italian company contracted to carry out construction, was declared bankrupt. Water Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui had prepared a report on the project for tabling before Cabinet last year.
Residents of Molo, Njoro, Rongai, Kuresoi, and Nakuru towns had pinned their hopes on the dam, but the project's stagnation has left them disappointed. Stephen Kiprotich, a resident of Kuresoi, expressed concern that taxpayers would be forced to pay for a white elephant project if the project is not revived.
The county government is urging state agencies to expedite investigations into the project's corruption allegations, with the aim of bringing those responsible to book.
