Keben Dam and Water Supply Project Takes Shape as Contract Signed in Nairobi

 

 The long-awaited Keben Dam and Water Supply Project in Nandi County has moved a major step closer to reality following the official signing of the contract between the Lake Victoria North Water Works Development Agency (LVNWWDA) and Sinohydro Company, the firm awarded the tender for the project’s engineering, procurement, contracting, and financing (EPCF) works.

The ceremony, held at Maji House in Nairobi, was presided over by Principal Secretary for Water and Sanitation, Mr. Julius Korir, CBS, representing the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation.

In his remarks, PS Korir commended the LVNWWDA for steering the project to the contracting phase and congratulated Sinohydro Company for emerging the successful bidder. He emphasized the importance of timely delivery and strict adherence to quality and safety standards throughout the project’s implementation.

“This project is a critical investment for the people of Nandi and the surrounding regions. I urge the contractor to begin work immediately and to ensure completion within the stipulated timelines. We expect nothing less than excellence in execution,” said PS Korir.

Speaking during the signing, LVNWWDA Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Joel Wamalwa, described the agreement as a historic milestone that would significantly improve access to clean and reliable water for thousands of households, institutions, and businesses in Nandi County and beyond.

On behalf of the agency’s Board of Directors, Chairman Hon. John Imoite reiterated the board’s commitment to ensuring the project is completed successfully and within schedule.

“We shall be hands-on in overseeing this project. Our focus is on maintaining the highest standards of quality, safety, and transparency. The people of Nandi deserve a sustainable water supply system that will serve future generations,” said Hon. Imoite.

The Keben Dam and Water Supply Project will involve the construction of a 43-metre-high dam with a reservoir capacity of 5 million cubic metres, and a water treatment plant capable of handling 24,000 cubic metres per day.

Additionally, the project will include:

• Construction of an 82-kilometre transmission and distribution network,

• Installation of smart water meters for efficient billing and monitoring,

• Development of six major storage tanks for enhanced water distribution, and

• Construction of a new LVNWWDA office block at the agency’s headquarters.

Officials noted that the project will not only increase water access in Nandi County but also stimulate socio-economic development, create jobs, and improve public health outcomes through provision of clean, safe water.

Present at the ceremony were LVNWWDA Board Technical Committee Chairperson, Director Abraham Kipkogei Cheruiyot, Director Mirriam Obura, Head of Legal Services, CS Elizabeth Ngala, Head of Supply Chain, Mr. Mark Kanda, and Personal Assistant to the PS, Mr. Geoffrey Rono, alongside senior representatives from Sinohydro Company.

The signing marks the beginning of an ambitious project that underscores the government’s continued commitment to expanding water infrastructure and ensuring universal access to safe and affordable water across Kenya.